SentryWorld - Back in Bloom

SentryWorld was closed for the entire 2013 season, can you share what was happening to the course behind the construction gates?
SentryWorld, Wisconsin's first destination golf course, was undergoing an extensive renovation and remodeling during the 2013 golf season. All tee boxes, fairways and bunkers were rebuilt, fairways were replanted. Additionally, several holes were re-configured, there are two completely new holes and the course was re-routed.

The result is a beautiful parkland golf course that honors its history and tradition while offering experience that today's golfers want and expect.

In your opinion, why do you feel the renovations and changes were necessary?
From time to time, all golf courses and facilities are in need of maintenance and repair. This was the case at SentryWorld.

In the 30+ years since opening, the heavy golf course traffic was beginning to show. Architects assembled a long list of items needing attention: bunkers, drainage, the irrigation system, tee boxes, greens. The choice was either to take on projects one by one over several years, or close the course and complete all projects at once.

Closing the course afforded another opportunity - renovate and improve the course. We invited Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the original architect, back to re-configure holes, create new holes, and re-route the course.

We have not only maintained one of Wisconsin's iconic golf courses, we've made it even better. In the end, closing wasn't a difficult decision.

What do you hope SentryWorld will become when the course re-opens?
SentryWorld will remain one of Wisconsin's premier destination golf courses. It will continue to offer a one-of-a-kind golfing experience a top-notch golf shop, and a fun place to relax and visit after a round of golf. Those who counted SentryWorld among their favorites will want to come back and experience it again. Those who have never played SentryWorld will want to discover it for themselves.

But SentryWorld goes beyond golf. Non golfers will enjoy the other sports activities offered at the SentryWorld sports center. The new restaurant will be a place that central Wisconsin residents and visitors will want to bring family and friends. The wedding and banquet facilities will be the best the region has to offer.

Were there any changes to the famous flower hole?
SentryWorld's flower hole, Number 16, is iconic and synonymous with the course. Not only has the hole been retained, it's been enhanced. In fact, golfers and visitors will see more use of flowers throughout the golf course and SentryWorld grounds.

When is the course scheduled to open and what can golfers expect when they set foot on the property for the first time again?
SentryWorld is known as a difficult golf course, one that challenged the very best golfers. For the average golfer, however, a round at SentryWorld may have been too challenging.

Our vision for the renovated SentryWorld was seemingly contradictory: Make it a challenging course for the low handicapped golfer yet more playable and enjoyable for the causal golfer. We've achieved that.

The course is longer - over 7200 yards. Low handicapped golfers will have to think through their game as they are presented with several options for every shot. They'll have to use every club in their bag. Casual golfers can choose from several tee boxes, find more open fairways and encounter more manageable approaches to the greens.

Anything else to add or share?
The golf course is not the only facility undergoing renovation. The SentryWorld sports center, which houses the pro-shop, restaurant, banquet and meeting space, multi-purpose sports courts closed in fall 2013 for extensive remodeling.

The facility, which will open at the same time as the golf course, will offer visitors a completely re-vitalized facility with a real Wisconsin flavor. Plans call for a year-round space that can be used for a variety of recreational and cultural activities. Features will include a pro shop with a wider variety of merchandise, multi-use sports areas, flexible meeting space and a re-designed restaurant. The re-imagined SentryWorld will be one of the finest sports, meeting and banquet facilities in the region.