Briarwood Country Club 2014 Host Club of the Year

Pictured from left to right accepting this award are: Andy Fellows, Head Golf Professional, Caitlin Furer, Catering, Laura Nelson, Membership, Katie McLearie, Board President, Cindy Bryniarski, Debbie Boyer, General Manager, Josh Ollinger, Executive Chef, Daniell Stelter, Food and Beverage Manager, Mark Gorga, Golf Course Superintendent and Tom Licorish, Assistant Food and Beverage Manager.

Briarwood Country Club in Sun City West hosted the 2014 Arizona Women’s Golf Association Season Opener, and immediately set the bar high for other clubs in 2014. Players and tournament staff alike gave the practice facility, golf course, pro shop, and clubhouse top marks, which helped Briarwood earn the title of 2014 Arizona Women’s Golf Association Host Club of the Year. Players remarked that they enjoyed Briarwood’s parkland design and described it as a first class venue with “great flow”. The Staff was welcoming and attentive to player needs and the food was excellent.

Cindy Bryniarski, who was instrumental in bringing the tournament to Briarwood during her term as Briarwood Board President said, “Briarwood truly enjoyed the opportunity the Season Opener gave to showcase the club. The facilities were definitely top of the line, and the course itself really wowed the players and Arizona Women’s Golf Association staff.”

Helping Cindy were Mark Gorga, Golf Course Superintendent, and Todd Barranger, Director of Golf, who worked on getting the course well marked in advance of the event. Mark has been a superintendent for 30 years and has a lot of tournament experience. Todd is a former PGA Touring Professional and his experience on the tour was extraordinarily helpful. He worked closely with the AWGA Tournament Operations Manager to select hole locations that were challenging and yet enjoyable for play.

Also working hard to make the event remarkable was the Food and Beverage team. Food and Beverage Manager, Daniell Stelter, Executive Chef, Josh Ollinger, and Pastry Chef, Lupe Reyes did an amazing job and captivated everyone with the food they prepared and served.

The Arizona Women’s Golf Association was founded in 1924 for the purpose of promoting, preserving, and enhancing the best interest and true spirit of the game of golf among women in the state of Arizona.

This award is determined by surveying all the women who participate in events around the state throughout the year. Briarwood competed against such courses as Desert Mountain, Sedona Golf Resort, Troon North, Blackstone Country Club and many more.

General Manager, Debbie Boyer looks forward to having Briarwood host more AWGA events and another Season Opener.