The Inn at SentryWorld in Stevens Point. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — An influx of visitors is descending upon Stevens Point for the 2023 US Senior Open golf championship beginning on Thursday.
The city will welcome over 70,000 spectators and participants for the event, which will more than double the population of Portage County.
Mayor Mike Wiza says the city’s public transportation system has waived all rider fees for the entire week. Meaning in-town residents and those who have rented homes for the week will be able to get to the gates by taking the bus to one of the designated shuttle pickup points or a stop that’s within walking distance of the admission gates at SentryWorld. The city has also lifted overnight parking restrictions for the week, meaning vehicles can be left on the street overnight in any area that’s not marked as a no-parking zone. “Normally we have an odd-even side number system for overnight parking. You still have to have a legal parking spot, but [the rest] of those restrictions have been lifted through the 5th of July,” said Wiza.
Local taxi companies have increased their fleets and ridesharing services Uber and Lyft have also provided more incentives for drivers.
Park-and-ride lots are located at SPASH, UWSP’s Lot Q, and the Sentry Insurance headquarters building near the course. Mayor Wiza says Sentry employees will work from home this week to free up space in their parking structure for spectators.
Wiza says the free city bus rides should ease congestion for everyone, even those who just need to make a trip to the grocery store. “Public transportation is widely available. So if you want to get up to the tournament from the south side you don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot.”
Portions of Maria Drive, North Point Drive, and Michigan Avenue will be closed to the general public during the tournament as well. Wiza notes that there will be some limited access for officials and players as long as they have a special permit.
The city has been preparing for the tournament for a year and a half. A representative from the USGA immediately relocated to Stevens Point after the course was chosen to host the event and began working with local leaders to plan the event. Wiza says he has had at least one meeting focused on the logistics of the event each week since last winter.
The close of the tournament will overlap with the opening of Riverfront Rendezvous. Some youth baseball and softball tournaments are also scheduled for the Wiza says those who are in town for one event are encouraged to take in the other as well.
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