The Inn At Sentryworld — You’re Sure To Feel At Home

By Sue Sveum

Built in 1982 and renovated in 2014, SentryWorld has long been recognized as a premier parkland-style golf course. The sports complex and campus for Sentry Insurance, located in Stevens Point, provide myriad event spaces and amenities for event planners and attendees, as well as the local community. But it’s the brand-new addition of The Inn at SentryWorld, scheduled to open this fall, that will finally complete the offering.

“A boutique hotel right here on the property fills that last important piece,“ says Tawnya Schilt, SentryWorld’s director of sales and events. “It’s a perfect complement to the campus — and great for both destination travelers and conference-goers.“ She describes the Inn as a charming, upscale hotel offering 64 spacious guest rooms, all with golf course views.

World-renowned, the SentryWorld Golf Course ranked 44 on Golf Digest’s 2019 list of top 100 public golf courses, so interest in it comes as no surprise. Moreover, the golf course is gearing up to host the 43rd United States Golf Association Senior Open Championship in 2023 — and the Inn will be an important component of the event.

But there’s more to SentryWorld than just golf, especially now with the addition of the Inn. “There are so many options that make it a great destination experience — both indoors and out,“ confirms Schilt. She mentions that the SentryWorld team is continually innovating ways to make use of the many rooms and spaces on the property for a variety of events and activities — from weddings to trade shows, arts and craft fairs to concerts and even the Badger State Games.

“The outdoor ball diamond has hosted kickball and lacrosse tournaments, and we’ve held tai chi and outdoor team-building activities on the lawn,“ says Schilt. “But, of course, in Wisconsin, we also need to be prepared to bring events indoors any time of the year.“

The 51,000-square-foot Fieldhouse provides the space to do just that. There are tennis courts (also used for volleyball and pickleball), a golf simulator, and plenty of large spaces that come complete with state-of-the- art audiovisual technology for indoor meetings and gatherings in any season. And the new Inn provides additional event space that’s perfect for smaller events like board meetings, breakout rooms and cocktail receptions, further strengthening the campus by offering it all in one spot.

The Inn was designed to bring the outdoors in, according to Schilt, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the 18th green. “The feeling is cozy and welcoming, combining comfort with elegance,“ she explains. But it’s about more than just the amenities. “We have to offer amazing service,“ she says. “Our goal is to provide an ’unexpected delighter’ out of something ordinary. We want our guests to say, ’I didn’t expect that!’“

Planning an event at SentryWorld comes with plenty of on-site staff support. “We pride ourselves on helping you create a full and memorable experience,“ explains Schilt. “We’ll partner with you to make your event the best it can be.“

After designing the golf course at SentryWorld — one of his first — Robert Trent Jones Jr. called it his Mona Lisa. Similarly, Schilt describes The Inn at SentryWorld as a masterful blend of elegance and authentic Wisconsin charm. No matter how you characterize it, it’s clear that the Inn and the entire SentryWorld campus offer just about everything an event planner or attendee could want.