Golf Course Review & Scouting Report

SentryWorld Golf Course

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

WI #11

Established

1982

Architect

Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1982), major renovation 2013–2015 by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton, Jay Blasi

Access

Public

Par

Par 72

Length

4,696 – 7,051 yds

Green Fees

$$$$

The verdict

Wisconsin’s First Golf Destination

SentryWorld has earned its reputation as Wisconsin’s original public golf pilgrimage—a visually lush, championship-level parkland where every detail feels first class. Its architectural pedigree, tournament history, and memorable moments make it a true bucket-list stop for serious players and golf travelers alike.

Course DNA

Difficulty

Scenery

Conditioning

Shot Variety

Walkability

Green Complexity

Wow Factor

Design Quality

At a glance

Quick facts

Notable Nickname

SentryWorld’s 'Mona Lisa' by RTJ Jr.

Signature Feature

16,000+ annual blooming flowers on the iconic Flower Hole

Major Championship Host

2023 U.S. Senior Open

All-Inclusive Experience

Unlimited food, snacks, and drinks included in green fee

Best New Public Award

Golf Digest winner, 1984

Renovation

2013–15 full-scale modernization

Future USGA Events

2028 Senior Women’s, 2034 Senior Open

The design

The architecture

SentryWorld is the blueprint for the modern destination parkland course: bold water features, sculpted fairways, vibrant landscaping, and holes that linger in memory. Robert Trent Jones Jr. crafted every hole for drama, using Wisconsin’s forests, lakes, and native terrain to create a journey that swerves from strategic to spectacular. The 2013–15 renovation carefully modernized the routing, length, bunkering, and greens, infusing flexibility for championships while keeping the signature fun and hospitality alive.

Robert Trent Jones Jr. called SentryWorld his 'Mona Lisa'—a testament to his vision for parkland drama and enduring appeal.

Defining features

World-renowned Flower Hole (No. 16)
Strategic water hazards and bold bunkering
Premium, undulating green complexes
Integrated landscape with abundant trees and flowers
Multiple risk/reward par 5s
Highly photogenic par 3s

Hole by hole

Signature holes

Hole 11

Scoring Opportunity

PAR

YARDAGE

349

The longest and toughest one-shotter on the card, the 11th stretches a full 237 yards over water and bunkers to a perched green. Precision, control, and pure ball-striking are non-negotiable if you want to score here.

Play it smart

Favor the center—often short is better than long, and taking your medicine for a safe bogey can be wise.

Where it bites

Deep water short and bunkers left make a miss right the safest play. Overshooting risks a harsh up-and-down.

Course management

Shots to think about

Approaching the Flower Hole (16)

Dial in your yardage, ignore the color riot, and trust your committed swing.

Long approach shot on 11

Focus on solid contact—take one extra club and play for the center of the green.

Par 5 second shots (8, 14, 17)

Don’t get greedy—choose smart layups over forced heroics.

Wind comes up on par 3s

Club up and commit—short is usually a safer miss than long.

Aggressive line on 18

Double-check the wind and carry—a prudent layup can still net birdie.

Navigating structured greens

Study pin locations: slopes and tiers reward proper angles and leave easier putts.

On the day

What to expect

Conditions

Immaculate fairways, pristine greens, and floral touches—resort-level maintenance throughout.

Pace

Expect a relaxed, measured round with signature amenities and all-inclusive touches.

Vibe

Upscale but welcoming, every stop feels like a special occasion.

Dress code

Collared shirts and golf attire expected; no denim. (Not formally posted)

Before you tee off

Your game plan

Book Early

Reserve your tee time up to 90 days in advance—popular dates disappear quickly.

Bring the Camera

The Flower Hole and water vistas demand photos—keep your phone handy.

Allow Extra Time

Enjoy the refreshment stations, premium range, and full resort experience before and after your round.

The lore

How it came to be

1982
SentryWorld opens, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
1984
Wins Golf Digest's first Best New Public award
1986
Hosts U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links
2019
Hosts U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship
2023
Hosts U.S. Senior Open; Bernhard Langer becomes oldest champion

Stories & legends

What makes it special

Course Identity

Flower Hole Legend

Each season, more than 16,000 blooming flowers surround the 16th green, dazzling visitors and defining SentryWorld’s brand. The Flower Hole is among the most Instagrammed tee shots in the Midwest.

Championship Lore

Historic Senior Triumph

In 2023, golfing legend Bernhard Langer captured the U.S. Senior Open title at SentryWorld, becoming the oldest champion in event history and etching the course in the game's record books.

Design Highlights

Mona Lisa of Jones Jr.

Robert Trent Jones Jr. famously called SentryWorld his 'Mona Lisa', reflecting both pride and belief in its creative design. The course stands as a showcase of his modern parkland concepts.

Luxury Experience

All-Inclusive Luxury

Unlike most daily-fee courses, SentryWorld’s $375 green fee covers unlimited on-course dining, stations, and drinks. It transforms the round into a genuine all-day, all-in destination experience.

For the group chat

Fun facts

Over 16,000 flowers are planted for the 16th hole every season.

SentryWorld won Golf Digest’s inaugural Best New Public award in 1984.

Bernhard Langer became the oldest U.S. Senior Open champion here in 2023.

All green fees include unlimited food and drink on-course—a rare luxury.

Robert Trent Jones Jr. called SentryWorld his 'Mona Lisa.'

Build the trip

If You’re Making a Central Wisconsin Golf Trip…

CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip

The Bull at Pinehurst Farms

Public

Elite public-access challenge with strong routing and amenities

The Golf Courses of Lawsonia

Public

Classic design, state-top-5 historic feel

Trappers Turn Golf Club

Public

Multiple nines, trip-friendly resort venue

Bullseye Golf Club

Public

Fun, affordable nearby daily-fee course

Hiawatha Golf Club

Municipal

Low-cost, friendly and accessible gateway round

Stevens Point, for prime access to SentryWorld and central regional courses

Course DNA

If You Like SentryWorld Golf Course

Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.

Strong DNA Match7.7

TPC Deere Run

Silvis, Illinois

Conditioning

Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in TPC Deere Run's own setting.

Strong DNA Match8.4

Forest Dunes Golf Club

Roscommon, Michigan

Conditioning

Why it matches: Forest Dunes Golf Club is a natural next stop after SentryWorld Golf Course: it offers similarly polished playing surfaces.

Strong DNA Match8.7

Wade Hampton Golf Club

Cashiers, North Carolina

SceneryConditioning

Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Wade Hampton Golf Club shares a memorable sense of place and offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to SentryWorld Golf Course.

From the community

Community Sentiment

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