SentryWorld used to be the crown jewel. For golf courses in Wisconsin, it was this state’s first destination golf property and gained national recognition after it was completed in 1982.

But as time went by, other high-quality courses were built — Blackwolf Run, Whistling Straits and Erin Hills — and major championships from the United States Golf Association and the PGA of America followed.

While SentryWorld remained one of the top-ranked public courses in the U.S., the only thing missing from its resume was its moment in the sun.

Next year that changes when the U.S. Senior Open comes to Stevens Point, and the newly renovated course from June 29-July 2.

And everybody around town is…

“Excitement doesn’t necessarily even do it justice,’’ said Mike James, SentryWorld general manager. “And it’s not just SentryWorld. I mean, everybody that I talk to around the community is just, it’s what is on their mind, and it’s what they’re talking about. Everybody is just fired up for this.’’

The road to land this championship began after the course underwent a major renovation in 2013.

(SentryWorld)

“We liked what the USGA was doing and so we actively went after them,’’ said James.

They went through the USGA application process, a site visit followed and the course received two thumbs up. That led to the 2019 USGA Junior Girls’ Championship, which was a rousing success.

“Shortly thereafter, it was, ‘What can we do next?’” said James. “They wanted to do something next, and we did too.”

Hello U.S. Senior Open.

But the golf course wasn’t where they wanted it to be. So prior to reopening this season, SentryWorld brought back original architects Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Bruce Charlton and, along with the USGA, spent 18 months making renovations.

Landing areas were reduced nearly in half, to about 25 yards, after a senior player’s ability. Bunkers were added and moved. Three greens were modified and a SubAir System was put beneath every green. When it was finished, SentryWorld was a major championship level 7,300-yard golf course.

“And what was fascinating is that the USGA, they understand how the player thinks, they understand how these players will try to attack a golf course,’’ said James. “And so it was very helpful and a very collaborative effort that we went through, and we went hole by hole.”

The greater challenge was making it playable for Joe Average Golfer after this championship packs up and leaves.

“I’m so pleased with how it ended up,’’ said James. “We didn’t create a golf course for just one week. We created a golf course that’s going to challenge the best players in the world, but we’re also going to be able to lower the heights of cuts and such and so that the everyday player can go out there and play and enjoy it on any given day.”

As for the fan experience, championship director Steve Marino is certain they will be pleased.

“If people have gone to any kind of major sporting event, not only golf tournaments, a lot of times they’ll have to park miles away and get shuttled in,’’ he said. “We will have shuttle buses running from every one of our parking lots. However, all of our lots are within a mile-and-a-half of the golf course and they’re all a half mile off the interstate (I-39). So ease of access and accessibility to this site, and to the parking areas, is something I think is going to be a really big benefit and positive asset for everybody.”

Marino said they’re also planning some Wisconsin-centric touches.

“Right now we’re looking into more or less a kind of food and beverage area,’’ he said. “That will encompass kind of what the best of Wisconsin has to offer on the food and beverage side. So whether that would be cheese curds, a fish fry and old fashions, things like that.”

As for the USGA, its experience has been that if it brings one of its major championships to Wisconsin, fans will show up — in droves. Already he said Stevens Point is living up to that billing.

“Well, I just heard (Wednesday) that approximately 1,800 of their 2,000 volunteers already have made commitments,’’ said Brian DePasquale, senior manager for championship communications for the USGA.  “So that tells you something right there. Here we are, a year away, and they’re well on their way to getting enough volunteers to work the championship. So it sounds like the community’s interested.’’

(SentryWorld)

Adding to that interest will be two of the PGA Tour Champions’ top stars, Wisconsin natives Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly, both with multiple major titles on that tour, who are expected to be in the field.

“We’re lucky,’’ said James, “to have those two players representing our state and how they represent our state in the game of golf. And you can imagine just how fired up the Wisconsin golf fans would be to see them doing well that week.”

And as for the golf course, its moment in the sun has arrived.

“Hosting a major championship, in this case the U.S. Senior Open, is an honor for any golf course,’’ said James. “And it really says that you’re worthy of hosting and challenging the best players in the world. When you look at some of the other golf courses that hosted this championship, including Saucon Valley this year, Winged Foot, Riviera, Olympia Fields, Congressional, Pinehurst No. 2, Oakland Hills, Hazletine National and then Whistling Straits. That’s a pretty significant list and we’re proud to be part of that list.”

Story idea? You can reach Mike Woods at 920-246-6321 or at: michael.t.woods1@charter.com