Fred Vuich
SentryWorld Golf Club
Stevens Point, WI • Public
SentryWorld Golf Club
601 Michigan Ave N
Stevens Point, WI 54481-1266
United States
Telephone
Overview
The lush, tree-lined SentryWorld won Golf Digest's first-ever Best New Public award in early 1984, but never made our 100 Greatest Public ranking until 2017, as the highest-ranking newcomer. A few years ago, Trent Jones Jr. partner Bruce Charlton and their former associate Jay Blasi remodeled SentryWorld, rerouting four holes and adding a new par-3 12th and par-4 13th, but they preserved the famous "Flower Hole," the par-3 16th which uses petunias, snapdragons, marigolds, geraniums and other annuals grown on site as decorative hazards. The flower beds are treated as lateral hazards. A more recent renovation by RTJII's team focused on preparing the course for the 2023 U.S. Senior Open. In an age when almost every renovation consists of enlarging fairway space to provide players better angles for more recoverability for mishits, SentryWorld went the opposite direction, narrowing its landing zones, enhancing roughs and converting a number of chipping areas into maintained bluegrass. Sub-Air systems were also installed under the greens. The alterations proved formidable as Bernhard Langer fended off Wisconsinites Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly to win the Open. SentryWorld has previously hosted several other USGA championships, including the 2019 U.S. Girls' Junior, where future U.S. Women's Open champion Yuka Saso was the stroke-play medalist.
About
Awards
ranking history:
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since 2017.
Highest ranking: 34th, 2017-'18.
2025-'26 ranking: 49th.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 10 since 2011. Ranked eighth, 2019 to current.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 8th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“A unique "resort" course in norther Wisconsin designed for the Sentry Insurance Co. Most known for the 16th "flower hole", however, there are several other holes that stand out throughout the round. 4 is a short par 4 guarded by water on both the tee shot and approach. The 9th hole is a risk/reward par 5 that requires precision in two shots to avoid danger lurking in a creek that winds throughout the hole. 11 is another risk/reward tee shot that puts you in danger if you cannot move it right towards the green. 17 offers similar challenges as 11, but nonetheless an exciting test of precision and aggression. SentryWorld is worth a visit if you are near the Steven's Point area."
Read More2025
Review
“Greens were extremely good and quick. There was not significant movement in the green complexes. Significant tee box variety with multiple angles to attack the individual holes. Taps had a kidney shape design and enhanced the aesthetics aspect of the course. The conditioning is excellent and the fact the course is only open 4 months a year and has limited play keeps the course in great shape."
Read More2025
Review
“This has to be one of the best conditioned courses in America!"
Read More2024
Review
“A visually stunning course, with exceptional conditioning. From the moment you step on the premises you feel the attention to detail to make every guest welcome. The course offers a variety of holes, requiring a variety of shots. A pleasure to play"
Read More2024
Review
“A visually stunning course, Offers a good mix of different holes, requiring a variety of shots. Excellent conditioning, Fair course regarding its difficulty level."
Read More2024
Review
“SentryWorld is a fascinating public golf course that very much feels like a private experience with its limited play, pristine conditioning, and all-inclusive halfway houses. The course itself is challenging and immaculately conditioned, with lush conditions and very fast and true greens. It is also quite visually attractive, giving off an Augusta National feel with its large, white bunkers and tall trees. The famous "flower hole" 16th is a fairly straightforward par 3, but features a beautiful display of flowers that make it instantly memorable and unique. In terms of interesting strategic holes, the two reachable short par fives on the front stand out with well-placed water hazards and numerous options for the golfer. Wisconsin is an elite state for public golf, perhaps the best in America. SentryWorld is a drastically different design than the other top courses in the state but is well-worth a play and an overall fantastic experience when you consider the amenities."
Read More2024
Review
“Very difficult golf course. Will enjoy all the free food included in the green fee more than the golf."
Read More2023
Review
“Played course week after Senior US open - course incredible condition. No hole is the same, great layout and fun holes that prove to be risk and rewarding. Bunkers in great locations and many flow straight from green directly to bunker. Must have strategy on several holes. Rough can eat balls and cause havoc."
Read More2023
Review
“Nice variety of long and short holes, good par 3, 4 and 5 variety. Conditioning was excellent. This course is tournament ready. Tee times are spread out every 20 minutes. Plenty to eat at the refreshment stations which are included in the green fee. This is a top notch experience that I would recommend to any golfer."
Read More2022
Review
“SentryWorld challenges low handicappers from the back tees and is friendlier to higher handicap golfers from the shorter sets of tees. Multiple risk/reward holes and two par 5's give you risk/reward options both off the tee and on your approach shots. If you hit a bad shot course usually gives you a chance to make par with a good recovery shot. Nice variation in direction and length of holes on par 3's, 4's and 5's. The two 500+ yard par 4's play in opposite directions. Fairways were not firm and fast but greens held on well struck approaches and rolled pure. Don't let the flowers distract you on the 16th hole as the slightly uphill par 3 is challenging."
Read More2022
