2023 U.S. Senior Open: Fan Guide
The USGA has designated an autograph area adjacent to the practice green for juniors ages 17 and under only. Beyond this area, we ask that you respect each player’s complete focus on preparing and playing in the U.S. Senior Open and refrain from seeking autographs from the time a player is en route to his first tee until the completion of the player’s round. Violation of this policy may result in expulsion and loss of ticket privileges for the remainder of the championship.
To enhance your experience on-site at SentryWorld, the USGA will offer complimentary Wi-Fi powered by Cisco at all entrance gates, within hospitality areas, public grandstand locations and throughout the rest of the golf course.
The USGA provides a range of tented and open-air facilities for on-site corporate hospitality. Specific tickets are required to gain access into each of the corporate hospitality venues, regardless of age. Complimentary junior tickets do not provide access to any of the corporate areas. For information regarding corporate hospitality at future U.S. Senior Open Championships, please visit ussenioropen.com.
Experience Wisconsin is an open to the public fan village, with a private shared hospitality space overlooking the practice putting green and tenth tee. The Experience WI area will highlight a variety of local food and beverage offerings. Such local products & vendors include Aspirus Health, The Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Association, Stevens Point Brewery, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association and more!
On-site activations within Experience WI include a hole-in-one golf simulator from John Deere, a Harley Davidson bike display, and First Tee Game Changers Pavilion. Aspirus Health will be providing complementary blood pressure checks. In addition, there will be cornhole, concession tents, shaded seating, and umbrella tables. A large jumbotron video board displaying live golf and leaderboard updates will be present to maximize the spectator viewing experience as well as free public Wi-Fi. There will be a full bar inside the private structure available for Experience Wisconsin ticket buyers only.
All purchases at the Merchandise Pavilion or on-site concession stands will be a cashless transaction and will require the use of a major credit/debit card (American Express, MasterCard, Visa).
Grandstands will be located on the Driving Range, 1 Tee, 9 Green, 10 Tee, 16 Green, and 18 Green.
Juniors aged 17 and under can request a complimentary Gallery ticket for any day of the event at the Will Call with a ticketed or credentialed adult. Maximum of four (4) Junior tickets of any age per ticketed or credentialed adult.
Note: Junior tickets do not provide access into corporate hospitality areas Experience WI, or PJs Champions Club.
The Merchandise Pavilion, covering 8,000 square feet, is located at the Main Entrance of the championship as you enter through Gate 1. A variety of merchandise bearing the U.S. Senior Open Championship logo will be available.
Hours of Operation
June 27 – July 2 (Tuesday through Sunday) 7:00 a.m. to one hour after the conclusion of play
The Merchandise Pavilion is located on the championship grounds inside Gate 1 at the Main Entrance. You must have a ticket or credential to gain entry during the championship.
Active and retired Military members can request a complimentary Gallery ticket +1 guest via the online ticket offer verified through GovX or at the Ticket Office with military identification.
Note: Military cannot apply this discount to use to get into upgraded hospitality experiences.
The USGA encourages fans to capture their favorite moments at our championships and stay connected with family and friends while on site. We have set guidelines on mobile device usage to ensure our players and other fans are not distracted or disrupted during the championship. Fans may carry mobile devices smaller than 7” in length and/or height; however, please make sure all device volume controls are set to “silent” or “vibrate” and flash photography is disabled prior to entering the championship gate. “Fan Zones” have been designated at Gate 1 Main Entrance & Experience Wisconsin areas of the championship site for fans to place or receive calls. Phone calls must not be received or placed in any area that may disrupt play including grandstands. Photography, video and audio recording are permitted throughout the course, but content must not be used for commercial purposes or disrupt play. Live streaming or shot-by-shot coverage of any player (with or without video) is not permitted at any time throughout championship week.
Conducting a global championship for the best golfers in the world is our primary focus. Violation of any of the above policies may result in immediate expulsion and loss of ticket privileges for the remainder of the championship.
Complimentary parking and shuttle transportation will be provided to and from SentryWorld. The general parking lot will have accessible parking spaces for vehicles displaying appropriate HP/DP license plates or placards and accessibility compliant shuttles. For fans requiring lift-equipped shuttle transportation please contact the U.S. Senior Open Championship Headquarters at 715.544.1029 for further information.
U.S. SENIOR OPEN PARKING (JUNE 27-July 2)
Complimentary parking will be provided at UW-Stevens Point, Lot-Q. UW-Stevens Point campus is located south of SentryWorld. Please follow general parking signage and/or directions from parking attendants to the designated parking location. Lot Q is located on Michigan Ave between Maria Dr and Stanley Street. From the parking lot, complimentary shuttle transportation will be provided to and from SentryWorld and is expected to take approximately 5 minutes.
PASSENGER DROP-OFF
Passenger Drop-Off will only be allowed at the designated area, UWSP Lot-Q. From the drop-off, fans will utilize complimentary shuttle transportation to and from SentryWorld that is expected to take approximately 5 minutes.
BICYCLES
Fans choosing to ride a bicycle to the championship are instructed to follow directions and signage to Gate 1 Main Entrance. Bike racks will be provided to park bikes at this location and owners are encouraged to bring their own lock, as they will not be made available by the Championship. The Championship, USGA, SentryWorld, Sentry Insurance and any other Championship related entities are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Owners are responsible for the security of their bicycles.
If you observe the following guidelines, your experience at the U.S. Senior Open Championship will be a more enjoyable one.
· Please stay behind gallery ropes and follow directions of championship marshals at all times.
· Do not cross fairways except at designated crosswalk areas.
· Be considerate of others and kneel or sit if you are in the front row of the gallery.
· Stay quiet and stand still when players are about to hit or when instructed by marshals.
· All mobile device volume controls must be set to silent or vibrate at all times.
· To ensure your safety at all times, walk carefully and never run.
· The U.S. Senior Open Championship involves substantial walking on grassy hills, dirt paths and other uneven surfaces. Please wear appropriate footwear such as sneakers.
· Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
· To provide protection from the sun, remember to wear sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. Please note that sunscreen in bottles and tubes, 3 ounces or less is permitted. Sunscreen in spray bottles and/or aerosol cans is not permitted.
· Dispose of plastic bottles, aluminum and cardboard in blue recycle bags.
· Dispose of trash (food, cups, concession ware, napkins) in green bags.
· Fans will be subject to expulsion and the loss of ticket privileges for the following breaches of etiquette:
o Making rude, vulgar, or other inappropriate comments or gestures.
o Verbal or physical harassment of players, volunteers, officials or fans.
o Distracting a player or any disruption of play.
o Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, unsafe, or illegal in nature.
o Failing to follow the instructions of a championship official, volunteer or security personnel.
For more information on the 43rd U.S. Senior Open Championship fan guidelines and for regular championship updates, please visit ussenioropen.com.
All times are Central Standard Time and schedules are subject to change. Starting times will be posted once available at ussenioropen.com and via the USGA Championships app.
PRACTICE ROUNDS
Players will have the option of starting practice rounds at the first or 10th tee. Players electing to play a full round generally begin between 7:00 a.m. and 2:36 p.m. It is typical for players to be on the golf course or practice areas until at least 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 27 (Gates open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
- Wednesday, June 28 (Gates open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS 1 AND 2
Play is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. from both the 1st and 10th tees. The last groups are scheduled to begin play at 2:36 p.m. from both the 1st and 10th tees.
- Thursday, June 29, First Round (Gates open 7:00 a.m. to conclusion of play)
- Friday, June 30, Second Round (Gates open 7:00 a.m. to conclusion of play)
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS 3 AND 4
The first starting time will be determined by the number of players who make the cut at the conclusion of the second round (60 lowest scores and anyone tying for 60th place). Generally, the first pairing begins from the first tee between 7:30 -8:30 a.m.; the last pairing for both days will start from the first tee at approximately 12:45 p.m.
- Saturday, July 1, Third Round (Gates open 7:00 a.m. to conclusion of play)
- Sunday, July 2, Fourth Round (Gates open 7:00 a.m. to conclusion of play)
PLAYOFF
If there is a tie for the low score after 72 holes, a two-hole aggregate playoff will be held immediately following the final round. If the playoff results in a tie, the tied players will continue to play off hole-by-hole (sudden-death format) until the champion is determined.
Fans and other championship attendees will go through security screening prior to entering the championship grounds and will not be allowed to bring any of the items listed below. To expedite admission into the championship, it is recommended that all prohibited items are safely stowed prior to arriving at the championship. Please be sure to read the following list of prohibited items carefully:
LIST OF PROHIBITED ITEMS
• No Weapons (regardless of permit, including but not limited to firearms or knives)
• No Explosives and/or Fireworks of any kind
• No Tablets and/or Computers (mobile devices smaller than 7" are permitted, subject to mobile device policy)
• No Drones
• No Selfie Sticks or Handheld Camera Stabilizer
• No Cameras (point and shoot, film, or DSLR) or Video Cameras (other than Monday through Wednesday for personal use only)
• No Noise-Producing Devices (including radios, TVs, or portable speakers)
• No Backpacks, Briefcases, Purses and/or Bags larger than 6" W x 6" H x 6" D in their natural state NOTE: Transparent/clear plastic hand and shoulder bags no larger than 12" W x 12"H x 6" D are permitted.
• No Signs, Posters, Banners and/or other Sports Paraphernalia or Memorabilia
• No Food and/or Beverages except for medical or infant needs
• Water Bottles (32-ounce size or less, no glass) are permitted provided they are empty upon arrival
• No Glass, Coolers, Aerosol Cans and/or Spray Bottles except for medical or infant needs NOTE: Personal-care items (3-ounce size or less) are permitted.
• No Lounge Chairs and/or Oversized Chairs
• No Pets or Emotional Support Animals (only trained service dogs as defined by the ADA)
• No Ladders and/or Step Stools or other similar items
• No Bicycles, Segways, Scooters, or other personal transportation devices allowed inside Championship admission gates (other than used for individuals with mobility disabilities)
• No other items or actions deemed unlawful, dangerous or disruptive by the USGA and/or Championship Security Personnel, in their sole discretion
NOTE: The USGA reserves the right to amend the List of Prohibited Items at any time to provide a safe and secure Championship.
Spectators of USGA Championships, including fans, player guests or support, and any other attendees, are expected to conduct themselves and interact with others in a respectful and courteous manner, with consideration for the physical and emotional well-being of others, and to treat all individuals with a sense of dignity and respect.
Spectators are requested to obey all Championship policies including, but not limited to, those provided on any attendance ticket or credential, all posted signage, and any instructions from Championship marshals and officials, USGA staff and volunteers, and club staff and volunteers. Spectators are prohibited from engaging in inappropriate behavior (whether on or off the course) towards any players, caddies, marshals, officials, volunteers, fans, USGA or club staff or vendors, or championship guests. Inappropriate behavior may include, but is not limited to:
· physical abuse or harassment of any nature
· verbal or emotional abuse or harassment, threats, or taunting or shouting insults
· blatant or excessive profanity
· derogatory, rude, or aggressive conduct
· damage to the golf course, club facilities or equipment
· inappropriate use of a mobile device
· failing to stay behind gallery ropes
· conduct which is disruptive to competition or distracting to a player
· conduct which could result in an unfair advantage to a player or disadvantage to another player
Violation of this policy may result in immediate removal from the Championship premises and/or cancellation of a Championship admission ticket or credential without refund, prohibition from attending future USGA Championships, as determined by USGA in its sole discretion. USGA expressly reserves all rights and available under its policies or under the law.
The USGA is committed to providing a positive and user-friendly experience for all fans with disabilities and is pleased to provide the following services:
· Accessible parking spaces for all vehicles having appropriate HD/DP license plates or placards will be reserved at all parking locations.
· Our Disability Services Committee will be on-site to assist fans with disabilities, with multi-person golf cart transportation to and from Disability Services Headquarters and specific facilities throughout the golf course via a fixed route with predetermined stops.
· A number of motorized scooters will be available at the Mobility Scooter Tent, inside of Gate 1 main entrance, for fans with disabilities, on a first-come, first-served basis, compliments of the USGA and Pride Mobility.
· Accessible restrooms will be available at locations throughout the championship grounds and at corporate facilities.
· The Merchandise Pavilion and select concessions will be accessible.
Will Call will be located on-site for fans to pick up tickets or get any ticket issues resolved at Gate 1 and Gate 2. Photo identification will be required to pick up tickets left at Will Call. Will Call cannot be accessed by vehicles at any time.
Hours of Operation:
U.S. Senior Open Championship Week
June 27-July 2 (Tuesday through Sunday) 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The USGA App Powered by Deloitte, available on iOS and Android, will be the digital home of the U.S. Senior Open throughout the championship. Fans can access their tickets, follow live scoring, and tee times, watch highlights, receive championship alerts, get the latest championship news, and more. Full coverage will also be available at ussenioropen.com.
Information can be found at stevenspointarea.com or by calling The Stevens Point Area Visitors and Conventions Bureau at 715.344.2556
Meteorology staff will be on-site monitoring weather conditions at all times. The USGA will communicate important safety information to fans through special Alerts that will appear on all leader boards, thru boards and video boards. Please read all Alerts and follow safety instructions. In general, Alerts shown in BLUE or YELLOW are being posted for general awareness while ORANGE indicates that fans should be prepared to take actions. An Alert shown in RED poses an imminent threat and will require immediate action as stated in the Alert.
- A Weather Advisory (Blue) will be posted to alert fans of specific weather conditions that will require certain precautions.
- A Weather Watch (Yellow) will be posted to alert fans that dangerous weather is possible.
- A Weather Warning (Orange) will be posted to alert fans that dangerous weather is approaching, and they should be prepared to take shelter or return to their vehicles.
- A Weather Warning (Red) will be posted to alert fans that dangerous weather is imminent, and they should take immediate action to ensure their safety, including exiting all grandstands.
A suspension of play for dangerous conditions will be indicated by one prolonged air-horn blast. In the event of a suspension of play, grandstands will be cleared immediately. If lightning is detected, please avoid open areas, hilltops, high places, isolated trees, golf carts and wire fences, and seek shelter immediately. Play will resume as soon as conditions allow.