West Allis, WI (August 11, 2023) – The Wisconsin Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (WPGA) presents the Suter Ward Group at Morgan Stanley Wisconsin State Open; at SentryWorld (Stevens Point) on Monday-Wednesday, August 14-16. On the heels of hosting the U.S. Senior Open June 29-July 2, the facility will now challenge 156 of the best golfers with ties to the state of Wisconsin.
Daniel Mazziotta, a Sand Valley Resort caddie and former Florida Gulf Coast University golfer is back to defend his title. He was able to take down former Marquette golfer Hunter Eichhorn in a three-hole playoff at Ozaukee Country Club (Mequon) last year.
“To be able to have the Wisconsin State Open at SentryWorld just six weeks after the U.S. Senior Open is something special,” said Chris Hoel, Assistant Executive Director of WPGA. “The course is in terrific shape, and we are very excited to see how this championship will play out, after witnessing the U.S. Senior Open.”
SentryWorld kicks off an impressive run of host sites as the WPGA recently finalized the venues for the Suter Ward at Morgan Stanley Wisconsin State Open for the next five years. The championship will visit some of the best courses in the state, public and private, while logging plenty of miles geographically.
Wisconsin State Open Future Host Sites:
- 2024 – Minocqua Country Club (Minocqua)
- A first-time Wisconsin State Open venue. Hosted a record setting State Amateur Championship playoff in 2018; won by Harrison Ott.
- 2025 – Blackwolf Run (Kohler) – River and Meadow Valleys Courses
- Hosting for a record tenth time. The event will feature both courses and an expanded field size.
- 2026 – Tuckaway Country Club (Franklin)
- Jim Lemon’s emotional victory highlighted the last time Tuckaway Country Club hosted in 2013.
- 2027 – Horseshoe Bay Golf Club (Egg Harbor)
- The championship has only once visited Door County. Maxwelton Braes Golf Course in 1947.
- 2028 – Milwaukee Country Club (River Hills)
- The top-100 rated course will host the championship for the first time since 1980.
Players to Watch – 103rd Suter Ward Group at Morgan Stanley Wisconsin State Open
Sam Anderson, Zach Burry, Michael Crowley, Hunter Eichhorn, Cameron Huss, Austin Kendziorski, George Kneiser, Thomas Longbella, Daniel Mazziotta, Jordan Niebrugge, Harrison Ott, Jack Schultz, Mick Smith, Kaylor Steger, Patrick Stolpe
Results – Live Scoring available throughout the Championship
Championship Facts
- A record number of players attempted to qualify for this year’s championship – 545 different individuals teed it up at a qualifying site, trying to earn a spot in the championship field.
- 156 player field size.
- The field is currently made up of 88 professionals, 68 amateurs.
- Currently featuring 91 exempt players and 65 qualifiers.
- The championship will be played over 72 holes. Each player will play 18 holes on Monday and 18 holes on Tuesday. The field will then be cut to the low 60 scores & ties and the final 36 holes will take place on Wednesday.
- Play starts at 7:15 am on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The fourth and final round will start at 12:45 pm on Wednesday.
- The youngest player in the field is Cody Guetzke at 15 years old, and the oldest is Kevin Cahill at 63.
- Estimated Purse – $83,000. An increase of over $9,000.
SentryWorld
- SentryWorld opened in 1982, underwent an extensive renovation in 2013. In 2021 the facility expanded further by opening the Inn at SentryWorld.
- Ranked 52nd in the most recent Golf Digest Top 100 public courses in the United States.
- It will play at a Par 71 and be set up between 6975 and 7175 yards, depending on the round.
- It was prominently featured in late June and early July when it hosted the 43rd U.S. Senior Open. Won by Bernhard Langer.
- Other notable events hosted at SentryWorld:
- 1986 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links (Cindy Schreyer)
- 1993 Wisconsin State Senior Amateur (Archie Dadian)
- 2005 Wisconsin State Senior Open (Rich Tock)
- 2010 Wisconsin Women’s Senior Amateur (Susan Lee Kolbe)
- 2011 Wisconsin State Women’s Open (Lindsey Solberg)
- 2019 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship (Lei Ye)
Other 2023 Wisconsin State Open Series Events
June 12-14 – 27th Sentry Wisconsin State Women’s Open at Blackhawk Country Club (Madison) – Won by Tess Hackworthy
September 5-6 – 39th Wisconsin State Senior Open at Maple Bluff Country Club (Madison)
For more information on the Wisconsin State Open Series visit https://wisconsin.pga.com/state-opens/.
About the Wisconsin State Open Series
Annually the Wisconsin PGA conducts three of the major golf events in the state, the Wisconsin State Open Series. The oldest and largest of the three championships, the Wisconsin State Open, dates back to 1919 and has been contested every year, except for a two year stretch during World War II. The list of venues is impressive, ranging from classic designs such as Blue Mound Golf & Country Club and Milwaukee Country Club to modern gems like Blackwolf Run and The Bog. The event winners are a list of who’s who in the history of golf in Wisconsin. PGA Tour veterans including Jerry Kelly, Steve Stricker and Mark Wilson have all captured the title. The other two championships are relatively new compared to the Wisconsin State Open but are building a history of their own and feature the best female and senior golfers in the state on a year by year basis. The Wisconsin State Open Series is supported by sponsors The Suter Ward Group at Morgan Stanley, Sentry Insurance and TaylorMade Golf.
About the Wisconsin Section PGA
The Wisconsin Section is one of the 41 sections that comprise the regional entities of the PGA of America. Over 500 members and associates belong to the Wisconsin Section, stretching from areas in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to almost the entire state of Wisconsin. Annually, the Wisconsin Section conducts over 40 professional events, operates their foundation – PGA Reach Wisconsin, and participates in several growth-of-the-game activities including PGA Junior League, Drive, Chip and Putt and PGA Hope. Wisconsin PGA Office is located at 11350 W. Theo Trecker Way in West Allis, Wis.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization, comprised of nearly 28,000 male and female golf professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf. The organization serves millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives and award-winning golf promotions.
