For the Gazette
WEST ALLIS – The Wisconsin Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (WPGA) is excited to announce a new partnership with Sentry, one of the nation’s largest and most financially secure mutual insurance companies. Based in Stevens Point, Sentry is the first title sponsor of the Wisconsin State Women’s Open golf championship.

The 3-year commitment commences with the 25th playing of the championship. Started in 1997 with a field of 23 players, the event now features 72 participants competing on June 15–16 on the Links Course at the Golf Courses of Lawsonia in Green Lake.

“We are excited to add Sentry as the title sponsor of the Sentry Wisconsin Women’s State Open,” said WPGA Executive Director, Joe Stadler, PGA. “A major goal of the WPGA is to grow the participation of women playing and working in the game. This relationship will elevate the championship significantly. Sentry has always been extremely supportive of girls’ golf, highlighted by hosting the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship and hosting an annual statewide girls-only event for our foundation. The title sponsorship is a perfect extension of that support.”

Sentry provides business insurance and other products to companies in specific markets across the country. The company also owns and operates, SentryWorld, opened in 1982 as Wisconsin’s first destination golf course. SentryWorld hosted the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship in 2019 and will host the 2023 U.S. Senior Open.

In 2017, Sentry became the title sponsor of the PGA TOUR’s Sentry Tournament of Champions, played each January on Maui. And earlier this year, Sentry became the USGA’s official insurance partner and presenting sponsor of the Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN). Through these investments, coupled with becoming title sponsor of the Wisconsin State Women’s Open, Sentry is committed to helping grow the game of golf and promoting recreational and amateur golf in Wisconsin and nationally.

“As title sponsor of the Wisconsin State Women’s Open, Sentry is proud to be associated with women’s golf at the highest level in our region,” said Pete McPartland, Sentry chairman of the board, president, and CEO. “We’ve had the honor of both hosting the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship and being home to the LPGA/USGA girls golf program, which specializes in providing a friendly environment for junior girls to learn the sport. Playing a part in these amazing athletes’ development is a role we’ve embraced and enjoyed. Sentry’s invested in golf because we know it brings people together—from business professionals to communities and families. The game’s values of integrity, fairness, and a strong work ethic embody our way of doing business.”

For more information on the Wisconsin State Open Series visit https://wisconsin.pga.com/state-opens/.