Briarwood Country Club

Briarwood Changes with the Times Except for its Principles of Good Golf and Good Friends
From Club in the the Country to Country Club
By Howard Cain

March of 2008 marked the 50th anniversary of Briarwood Country Club. Briarwood is located 28 miles north of Chicago nestled in the quiet suburb of Deerfield, Illinois.

By comparison to many of the old-line country clubs in the area, 50 years is a relatively short span of time. However, Briarwood can trace its ancestral roots back to 1920 when “Briergate” Country Club, the forerunner of Briarwood, was formed.

Briarwood can claim a very prestigious family tree. It is a first cousin to such renowned U.S. and international clubs as Augusta National, Cyprus Point, Pine Valley of New Jersey, Hirono Country Club of Osaka, Japan, Wentworth Country Club of London, England, Sea Island, Georgia, and its nearby cousin Bob-O-Link Country Club of Highland Park, Illinois. All, including the then Briergate, were designed by the world famous English/Scottish golf architectural firm of Colt, Alison and MacKenzie.

By 1924 the course was completed and hosted the Western Junior Championship won by Eldridge Robinson of Chicago ... score unknown.

Briergate, like many country clubs, fell on hard times during the 1930’s. As a result of its financial problems, it ceased to function as a private club and became a public fee course. It was acquired, at this juncture, by Robert Bruce Harris, a horticulturist and golf course architect. Mr. Harris continued to operate the Club as a public fee course, but made one dramatic change. He changed the spelling from “Briergate” to “Briargate.”

The story of Briarwood and why it is unique really began in 1957.

A small group of dedicated golfers from Chicago and its northern suburbs had a dream. Simply stated, it was to form a country club that would differ drastically from the then existing clubs in the area. It would not be a country club in the classical sense, but rather a golf club in the country.

Amenities would be kept to a minimum. The clubhouse would be purposefully small to accommodate a limited and controlled membership. It was part of this dream that there be a binding friendship and camaraderie among all members. No plans for swimming pool, tennis courts, or other “frivolous” diversions. The focus was to be golf.

There were 37 men in the original planning group. Some belonged to other private clubs and others trod the public fee courses, but all shared the dream that was to be Briarwood.

Spearheading this group were David Fisher, who became the Founder President of Briarwood, and Leo Lederer.

The original concept was to find some available land and build their dream course. Negotiations were started on a tract of available land in nearby Bannockburn, Illinois, now the site of Trinity International University.

Irving Goldberg, a prominent Chicago lawyer and one of the “original 37" learned through a business acquaintance that Briargate Country Club might be available. Negotiations were immediately started with Mr. Harris and a lease was signed within ten days.

In March of 1958 the Club was chartered as an Illinois non-profit corporation; David Fisher was elected the first President and Briarwood was formed. The dream had come true.

Joseph Zelazny was signed as head pro.  According to Joe, or “Z” as he is affectionately known, his original pro shop was the chicken coop near the farmhouse that served as the original clubhouse. Today, it is a modern pro shop with a sweeping view of the course and first tee.

A club manager was hired and play began in the spring of 1958.

True to its original purpose, focus was on the golf course. Reconstruction began under the guidance of Robert Bruce Harris plus additional counsel from Tommy Armour, the then world famous touring pro. Seventeen sand traps were relocated; tees and greens moved – all designed to add to the beauty and character of the course.

The story of Briarwood could well end here … the dream of men who envisioned a special kind of golf club in the country had come to fruition.  But times changed and to survive, so did Briarwood. As new and younger members joined, it was obvious to the Board of Directors that the Club must change to meet the lifestyle needs of its growing and more youthful membership.

In the early 1960’s the little white clubhouse was demolished and a new clubhouse erected. Two tennis courts were built, and several years later an additional two were added. A swimming pool, dressing rooms, and snack bar were also constructed.

Still Briarwood clung to the principles of its founders – a great golf course, a small (by comparison to other clubs) membership, and a friendship between members and staff that went far beyond any employer/employee relationship.  Despite physical plant changes, the golf course itself would always reflect the look and feel of a “club in the country”.

As much land as possible would remain in its natural state. Even today, ten acres of the total 165 acres that make up the Briarwood course and grounds are left in their natural wild state. This natural look blends with superbly groomed greens and fairways to provide Briarwood members with scenic beauty distinct from other private clubs in the area.

In 1961 Paul Voykin was hired as golf course superintendent and has been at Briarwood until his retirement in 2008 . Mr. Voykin is considered by his peers to be one of the finest if not the premier superintendent in the Chicago area. Numerous clubs consulted him over the years and traveled to Briarwood to marvel at his handiwork.

Fred Kopf, Jr. was hired as club manager in 1962. He retired in the fall of 1982 and virtually the entire Club membership turned out to honor Fred at his farewell dinner. Fred epitomized the friendship and warmth that is Briarwood.

Gerald V. Marlatt, a past president of CMAA and long-time club industry spokesman, became general manager of Briarwood C.C.

In 1977, the land that is Briarwood was purchased from the Estate of Robert Bruce Harris.

In June of 2008, Briarwood officially celebrated its 50th anniversary. There was a full weekend of events featuring a special tournament and a black tie dinner dance for the total membership.

Truly the dream of the original 37 founders has come true - from a club in the country to country club but without losing the spirit and the purpose of its founders. Briarwood has changed over the years and will continue to, but only as times dictate ... change, not for the sake of change but change with a purpose.

Briarwood is a living testimonial to those who say that country clubs are a vestige of the past.