Briarwood Golf Course

Briarwood Golf Course sits in Ankeny, a northern suburb of Des Moines, and serves as a municipal facility designed by Gordon Cunningham. The course operates within the framework of Iowa's public golf landscape, where accessibility and playability for a broad range of golfers typically guide design and maintenance decisions. Cunningham's work here reflects the practical considerations of municipal golf in the Midwest, where courses must balance challenge with pace of play and accommodate daily-fee traffic. The property occupies terrain characteristic of central Iowa, where gently rolling farmland and modest elevation changes define the playing corridors. Trees frame many holes, providing definition and strategic interest without overwhelming the layout. Water features and bunkers appear throughout the routing, creating decision points for approach shots and short game situations. The course length and tee configurations allow it to serve both recreational players and those seeking a more competitive test. As a municipal operation, Briarwood functions as a community golf resource for Ankeny and the greater Des Moines area. The facility includes practice areas and a clubhouse that supports daily operations and occasional outings. The course reflects the role that public golf plays in Iowa communities, where accessible green fees and straightforward layouts encourage regular play and introduce new participants to the game. Conditioning and upkeep follow the standards typical of well-maintained municipal courses in the region.