Golf Course Overview: SentryWorld

Insights From An Insider With Danny Rainbow, Director of Golf

SentryWorld

Local and traveling golfers love to research courses before playing them, whether it is to gain some local knowledge or to set an expectation before their upcoming round. Below is an interview with Danny Rainbow who shares some valuable insight about the property, its most talked about holes and the signature dish/drink to consume at the 19th hole.

Provide a brief description of the golf course/property, the terrain and best times of the year to play.
SentryWorld is the pinnacle of parkland golf. Redesigned in 2014, it combines the character and versatility of the country's finest modern courses with a welcoming atmosphere and stunning natural beauty.

A public golf course in Wisconsin, SentryWorld calls Stevens Point home-a community known throughout the Midwest as a destination in its own right. Stevens Point is located in the center of the state, where fields meet forests and cool, calm lakes lie under open blue skies. The course reflects this landscape, providing players with gorgeous views at every turn-from the spectacular fifth hole, a par five that hugs the shore of SentryWorld's big lake, to the legendary "Flower Hole," where 33,000 flowers surround the gently sloping green.

Through location and design, SentryWorld truly is a course within reach for golfers of all skill levels. It challenges low-handicap golfers with narrow corridors off the tee and looming fairway hazards. It also offers recreational players a friendly, inviting experience, with breathtaking views and countless opportunities to incorporate their preferred style of play.

SentryWorld offers golf tee times beginning with the first blooms of spring through the colorful leaves of fall.

Throughout its 18 holes and 200 acres, SentryWorld offers rolling green fairways, pristine blue waters, impeccable white sands, and a one-of-a-kind course design by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., that encourages creativity and rewards resourcefulness for players of all ages and skill levels. The course incorporates these elements seamlessly, testing golfers while immersing them in striking scenery. Water comes into play on 12 of SentryWorld's holes, while fairway and greenside bunkers nearly glow against their surroundings, and towering trees guide golfers onward while welcoming wayward shots with open arms.

Share with golfers, your most recent awards and golf course improvements.
SentryWorld debuted in 1982 as Wisconsin's first destination golf course. Having withstood 30 years of play-and the state's harsh winters-the course underwent a well-deserved renovation beginning in 2013. When the new and improved SentryWorld reopened in 2015, the golf world rediscovered a course that retained its personality and playability, but with an array of new features-rebuilt bunkers, friendlier sightlines, and radically redesigned holes. Today, SentryWorld stands as a beacon in Wisconsin's burgeoning golf community, and-like its famous rows of flowers-it takes on new dimensions with every visit.

SentryWorld is ranked No. 44 in Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Public Courses" list for 2019-2020.

Any tips on playing and reading the greens?
As part of SentryWorld's renovation in 2013-2014, the greens were rebuilt and generally have less contour than they did pre-renovation. The greens are very true and fast, and if anything, they tend to break a little bit less than golfers expect.

The renovation project also introduced a number of "kicker slopes" around greens. These slopes will help funnel shots onto greens, so make sure to watch for these friendly slops and take advantage of them.

Starting on hole #1, are there any tips to get your round off on the right foot?
The first hole is a gentle dogleg left, but don't get too aggressive in trying to cut the corner. An errant shot to the left will find a multitude of obstacles including trees, rocks and bunkers. You'll be able to find it, but may have a very challenging shot to reach the green. A conservative tee shot up the middle to right side of the fairway will leave you the best angle and approach to the green.

What is your favorite par 5, and how would you recommend playing it?
The fifth hole is my favorite par 5. It is a cape hole that wraps to the left around a large lake. A well-placed tee shot up the left side of the fairway will give longer hitters an opportunity to reach the green in two. If you are trying to make a birdie, I recommend aiming for the left center of the very wide and generous fairway. To protect your score and avoid a big number, play to the right off the tee as you will have no trouble reaching the green in 3 shots.

What is your favorite par 3, and how would you recommend playing it?
The new 12th hole is my favorite par 3. It's intimidating because the tee shot must carry water all the way to the green, but it's relatively short and doesn't have too much trouble, provided you can carry the water and reach the green. This hole always seems to play a bit longer than its yardage indicates, due to a prevailing wind that is difficult to detect from the tee box. I recommend taking an extra half or full club.

In your opinion, what is the hardest hole and do you have any tips on playing it?
The second hole is undoubtedly the hardest hole on the course. It is a long par 4 that is challenging to reach in regulation, and it has penalty areas both left and right off the tee. On the tee shot, I recommend playing up the left side, as the penalty area on that side is a bit harder to reach and can be more forgiving. On the second shot, remember that there is plenty of room long and left of the green, so make sure to take enough club to reach the green, if you are able to get there.

As a golfer plays the final three holes, is there a chance for salvation? (any tips on closing out the round?)
SentryWorld features a challenging 4-hole finishing stretch, and the best chance for some salvation is on the 17th hole. This short par 4 will leave most players with a wedge or short iron to the green. The green slopes away from you, toward the water, so make sure to land your approach shot short and let it release down to the hole location (unless you play a high-spin and soft-landing approach shot).

Contact Course
SentryWorld 601 Michigan Ave N Stevens Point, WI, 54481 715-345-1600