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t’s time to head north to Wisconsin’s first destination golf course, located in Stevens Point. The Robert Trent Jones Jr. design opened in June of 1982, bringing destination golf to Wisconsin. In the years following, dozens of destination golf areas have opened in the State. The most notable is Erin Hills, The Kohler property that’s home to Whistling Straits and Lake Geneva. Owned and operated by Sentry Insurance, one of the nation’s largest mutual insurance companies, the ownership has always strived to be the Midwest’s premier parkland golf experience.
When the former Sentry Insurance CEO developed plans to construct SentryWorld in the early 1980’s, his focus was on making it a celebration of the city, state, region, and the people who made it possible.
Known for its inviting atmosphere, SentryWorld is home to an impressive golf course, a boutique hotel, a wedding venue, a popular eatery, and more set among gorgeous backdrops.
Since 1982 SentryWorld has gone through two major golf course renovations. First in 2013-14 and again in 2020-21 in preparation to host the 2023 U.S. Senior Open. In preparation for this marquee event the course installed SubAir Systems beneath every green, and a drip irrigation system around each bunker. They modified 3 green complexes, reconfigured seven teeing grounds, added eight new back tee boxes expanding the overall yardage to 7,320, and expanded the practice teeing ground and enhanced the range practice targets.
The par threes on the course have always been a sense of pride and they differentiate themselves from other three pars you will find. Holes three and twelve are two of three pars that stand. SentryWorld’s big lake lies directly behind the green on the 3rd and stands between the tee box and the green on hole 12.
The most famous of all the par threes however is the “Flower Hole.” Hole 16 is one of the most photographed golf holes in the country, featuring 30,000 flowers and native grasses. CEO John Joanis wasn’t excited about Jones’ original design for the hole, so he sketched a pond on the design. He then recalled a previous trip to France where he had seen a sea of flowers behind a green, and the flower hole was created. Each year a team of 15 individuals hand plant the flowers based off a design created by Heidi Heath, owner of Heidi Heath Farms. Heath has been designing the iconic hole for the past 10 years. The best part of playing this iconic creation is that if your ball finds its way into one of the 30,000 flowers, you receive a free drop. At the end of season the staff recovers more than 1,000 golf balls annually from the beds.
Besides the exceptional course, SentryWorld strives to create an experience for everyone that is relaxing and unlike anything they have experienced before. Starting with more space between tee times to create a relaxed playing experience and the all-inclusive food and beverage service, this golf experience is one of a kind. That’s correct: food and beverage, including alcohol, is included with your round. Food and beverage outlets are located near holes 1 and 10, and 3 and 13. Golfers can choose from grab-and-go items, hot sandwiches, and snacks. There is a chef at each station offering daily sandwich specials and a fully stocked bar with bartenders. Truly a one a kind experience at this public facility.
There are two onsite restaurants, PJ’s at SentryWorld, a casual dining option and Muse, which offers a more elegant and upscale atmosphere. The Inn, their boutique hotel, opened at SentryWorld in 2022. The 64-room upscale hotel sits adjacent to the 18th fairway, and offers a fitness area, patio with fire pit, breakfast cafe’ and bar, and more. Indoor golf simulators are also available during those chilly winter days. Visit https://www.sentryworld.com for more details, specials, and to book your next stay.
Wisconsin summers are some of the best in the country and SentryWorld is only a nine hour drive from the Lake. Enjoy beautiful SentryWorld, and if time a lots be sure to hit one of the other breathtaking destination golf areas while you’re there.
