Spectacular events!

Chad Gibson, general manager of Bunker Hill Golf Course in Medina, long ago earned his reputation as the master of the no-hassle fundraiser and other special events. But until recently, the décor of the Bunker Hills Event Center may have reminded guests more of top golfers Greg Norman and Nick Faldo than Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy.

“The room was pretty, but it really looked 1990-ish,” Chad admits.

After a major renovation, however, the venue—which now features a panoramic view of the golf course—is “breathtaking,” Chad says.

The event center renovation follows more than $3 million in investments over the last four years to rehab the golf course, clubhouse and infrastructure at Bunker Hill.

“We have wonderful owners in Arnold and Cheri Ingraham, who have owned the golf course since 1939,” Chad says. “We added a partner when Steve Ross came in 2020 during the pandemic and made an oath that we were going to come out of Covid on top. He said that instead of being scared and going backwards, we’re actually going to renovate and go forward. And that’s what we’ve done. We’re going to make sure that when we hit our 100-year anniversary in 2027, we’re going to be one of the finest golf course and banquet facilities in the area.”

The glass wall that affords a golf course view is the most conspicuous change made in the event center renovation.

“Previously we had a solid wall, so when you sat in the event center, you couldn’t see the golf course,” Chad says. “We replaced the wall and tore down the whole deck that was on the other side of the wall. The event center now encompasses all of that space and has colossal windows throughout the whole place. We now have a bright, sunlit area with a huge panoramic view of the whole golf course from anywhere you sit in the event center or clubhouse. It’s dazzling.”

The room also features a vaulted cathedral ceiling and a handsome spiral staircase that leads down to the pro shop.

“It’s a beautiful place to take pictures,” Chad suggests. “Whenever we have class reunions, family reunions or showers, we can put 50 to 60 people on that spiral staircase to do a group picture where you’re shooting above and catch everybody’s face.”

The renovation started in October and was completed on April 1.

“We’re up and running with events,” Chad says. “By the middle of April we had already hosted a celebration of life, two golf outings and a networking meeting.”

The renovation was partly prompted by the need for more event space, he explains.

“Most golf outings that we host have 128 people,” he says. “The previous event center held 96, and the deck held up to 40, so people were half inside and half outside, which made it tough to keep it temperature-controlled inside, whether it was hot or cold. We needed a spot to be able to accommodate all 128 people along with the basket raffles and the various functions that were a part of the event. Then, most weddings, class reunions, family reunions and other functions were typically in that 120-guest range. We are now able to hold up to 160 people inside.”

Bunker Hill also has plenty of event space outside the event center, Chad says.

“Our gazebo, with the golf course in the background, is another gorgeous place to take photos,” he says. “One of the popular things that couples are doing at baby showers is taking pictures of the expecting mom and dad, then coming back a year later with the baby to do another picture.”

The golf course is Medina’s oldest, and one of the highest-rated in Northeast Ohio, Chad says.

Fundraising has been Chad’s passion since he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma around 20 years ago.

“My friends and family did a golf outing fundraiser to help show that I wasn’t alone and fighting by myself, so for the last 20 years, I’ve been working with Mimi Magazine to hold an annual golf outing for the American Cancer Society.”

This year’s event will be held on Sunday, June 29.



“We make fundraising easy,” Chad promises. “We handle all the catering. We will set up a Facebook event page and a website to handle guest registration. If it’s a paid event people can pay online. If it’s a non-paid event like a shower or birthday party, guests can still register online and we can capture everybody’s name, address, phone number and email, so hosts can send out thank you letters and event photos. 

You can learn more about golfing, special events and fundraisers at Bunker Hill Golf Course at BunkerHillGolf.com, or by calling 330-725-1400. You also can keep up with the latest news on Facebook @BunkerHillGolf. Bunker Hill is located at 3060 Pearl Road, at Hamilton Road, in Medina.