Phillips Event Center and Maddens casual gourmet — Restaurant in Bryan

For the price (especially as a student and walker) I had a good experience, a few things to note: the driving range is parallel with the parking lot, if you hook it someone probably won't be driving home, but at least they put "Park at your own risk" signs up so you won't be liable for the damages if you do. I know most cars around here have hail damage so you probably wouldn't notice an errant shot or two but if you really care about your car, maybe park by the tennis courts.

Some of the roughs are pretty narrow and well...."rough" and what's beyond the rough is just dirt, like dry lake bed kinda dirt. One of the bunkers has like 1 cm of sand in it, swear you could probably hit a hybrid out of it, but the rest weren't too bad, hoping I don't spend too much time in the bunkers in the future anyways. Staff was friendly and booking a tee time was a breeze. I think my favorite part of the course was that most of the other golfers have just a bad of a slice as I do so I never felt like the worst one on the course even with a 32 handicap (hey I'm working on it, okay?).

The greens were in really good shape but fast, like they'll make you wonder if your golf buddy sprayed your ball with WD-40 before you made that shot, this is not a bad thing though, some of the greens are so long you'd think your lob wedge would be a better choice than your putter.

Oh and speaking of greens, there's a pregnant cat (presumably an outdoor cat of one of the homeowners near the green on the 17th) that uses the bunker as her litter box. And loves to walk through your putt line. Waste no time after you sink that shot though otherwise she might run you off the green like she did to me.

Overall the fact that this course is 1/4 the price as the A&M course, even for students, will keep me coming back for the foreseeable future until...

Unfortunately, my experience with Phillips Event Center fell short of expectations. While the planning process leading up to the wedding felt organized and supportive, the execution on the actual day was incredibly disappointing.

Despite months of detailed planning and communication, I arrived to locked doors, an unprepared staff, and a reception space that was not properly set up — all while my personal wedding coordinator was unexpectedly absent. My bridal party, family, and even early guests had to step in and help correct what should have been managed by the venue staff. That was heartbreaking and stressful on what should have been one of the happiest days of my life.

While I appreciate that some staff made efforts to adjust things as issues arose, the lack of preparedness and leadership made it very difficult to fully enjoy the day. Communication was minimal, and moments that should have been seamless — like our ceremony audio and the rain plan for cocktail hour — were instead chaotic and frustrating.

I truly wanted to have a glowing experience at Phillips, and I chose the venue because I believed in their professionalism. Unfortunately, the follow-through simply didn’t reflect the level of care and service we were promised.

I hope future couples are able to have a better experience, and I would strongly recommend asking very specific questions about day-of coordination and staffing to ensure expectations...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Phillips Event Center at Briarcrest was the perfect venue for our wedding! The recent renovations have transformed it into a stunning, contemporary space that provided a beautiful backdrop for our special day. The modern styling was elegant and sophisticated without overpowering our own decorative touches, allowing our vision to shine.

The bridal suite was a dream—spacious, thoughtfully designed, and equipped with four lighted vanity mirrors, plenty of outlets, a secret door to the ladies room, prep sink, and ample hanging space for dresses. It made getting ready a seamless and enjoyable experience for me and my bridal party. Meanwhile, the groom’s room was a hit with the guys, especially the golf simulator, which added a fun and unique touch to the morning.

From start to finish, the staff was incredibly helpful, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. The day-of coordination was superb, keeping us on track and stress-free. And the food—absolutely delicious! Our guests raved about the meal, and we couldn’t have been happier with the service.

If you’re looking for a beautifully renovated venue with top-notch amenities, professional staff, and an unforgettable experience, Phillips Event Center at Briarcrest is the place to go. We are so grateful for their role in making our wedding day perfect!

[Photo credit: Beth Symons Fine Art &...