Rediscovering Briarwood

Over the past year, Briarwood Golf Club and Banquet Center has undergone a remarkable renovation by new owner John Knezevich—and you won’t believe who does the food.

By: Ken McEntee
Date: 02/25/2009
John Knezevich says the Briarwood Golf Club and Banquet Center was a “diamond in the rough” when he bought it a year ago. The newly renovated

Broadview Heights facility is now as polished as Tiger Woods’ swing.

“I was really lucky to find this place,” John says. “It’s like buying a handyman’s special and restoring it into a beautiful showplace. This is a sleeping giant in a convenient location that only needed a little TLC.”
And John recently scored a hole-in-one by bringing in Bucci’s to handle the banquet
food service.

“When people call about a party center, one of the first questions they ask is, ‘Who does your food?’” John says. “We’re proud to answer, ‘Bucci’s.’ I could not have a better guy to handle our food than Joe Bucci. For quality of food and value I put Bucci’s up against anybody.”

He also puts Briarwood’s location up against any other course.

It’s situated almost on the border of Broadview Heights and North Royalton, within minutes of I-480, I-71, I-77 and the Ohio Turnpike. “You can’t find a better location,” John insists. “You don’t have to drive a half hour to play a round of golf.”

The scenic 18-hole course is open year-round unless the ground is covered in snow. The facility also has a driving range and three practice greens.

And the price is right.

Eighteen holes and a cart cost just $39 on the weekend—way under par for area courses.

“We are the rare course where you can play for under $40,” John says.
And it gets better.

During the week, the price is $5 less. Seniors can play Monday through Friday for just $21.

“We’re a perfect venue for corporate events and other events,” John says. “We handle full-service outings that include meals, or you can bring in your own food if you want.”

When John bought Briarwood in January 2008, he immediately went to work on improvements, including the course.

The banquet hall was in bad shape, John recalls. The dance floor was buckled and shrubbery overgrew the large banquet room windows that bring in lumens of natural sunlight while affording a gorgeous panoramic view of the lake, fountain and grounds.

“We tore out the shrubbery and the room is now bright and open,” John points out while touring the facility. “And the hall includes a large outdoor patio where guests can step out for fresh evening air. We can even set up the bar out there.”
Spacious grounds and a pavilion make Briarwood an ideal venue for outdoor parties.

After 20 years, John knows the golf business. But when it came to food, he brought in the pros.

“My experience is in golf course management, not cooking,” John says. “That’s why I brought in Bucci’s. When you hold your event at Briarwood you’re not going to have a 19-year-old college kid making your food.”

Briarwood’s banquet packages include breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

Lunch options include buffet and box lunch selections. Dinner includes an array of buffet, hors d’oeuvres, dessert and drink packages.

The goal at Briarwood is to provide quality food and service at an affordable price.

“The economy is down, but people are still going to get married and have parties,” John says. “They just need to get a better value for their money. We want to make it affordable. We want to make your event as nice as possible, but at a great value.”

That includes a no-gouge policy.

John says he can’t believe some facilities charge as much as $80 simply to cut your wedding cake.

“That’s ridiculous,” John says. “If somebody is spending $8,000 to have their wedding here, do I really need to squeeze another 80 bucks out of them?”

In fact, at Briarwood, there is no room charge—you just pay for the food. There is no extra charge for the linens and no extra charge for the centerpieces.

“They pay for food, drink, tax and gratuity,” John says. “I think we offer the best bargain you can find, and you get quality food and service.”

Every Friday night, from February 27 through April 3, you have a great chance to check out the facilities at Briarwood and enjoy a great fish fry by Bucci’s. The buffet includes beer battered Cape Haddie Cod, roasted potato wedges, three cheese macaroni, hush puppies, cabbage and noodles, homemade pasta salad, Bucci’s classic Coleslaw, assorted desserts and beverage—all for $15 ($8 for kids under 10). Call for reservations.

And, beginning on the eve of Memorial Day weekend, Briarwood will host its weekly Thursday night summer parties featuring $1 beer, $2 burgers and live music.

“We did this last year and people had a ball,” John says. “You can play nine after work and relax on the patio.”

Briarwood has a fully stocked pro shop and offers gift certificates.

You can call John to find out about 2009 membership discounts, such as a single season pass for unlimited play, with cart, or the couple’s season pass where you share the cart.

Briarwood Golf Club and Banquet Center is located at 2737 Edgerton Road, in Broadview Heights. For more information, you can call 440-237-5271, or visit www.briarwoodgolf.net.

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