We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ward Sutton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ward below.

Alright, Ward thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Kent Country Club’s Mission is to continue building generational memories through outstanding golf, dining, and social experiences in a comfortable, welcoming environment. To operate Kent Country Club with financial soundness while ensuring quality services and facilities, now and for future generations. To maintain an enriching, positive, and professional work culture with training and career advancement opportunities for Kent Country Club’s entire team.

Our Board of Directors in 2024, updated our mission and vision statement. The factors within our mission statement that separate us from similar organizations in our market are within the second half of the statement. Our financial position is different than the other major clubs in our area as we limit our debt, keep our cash reserves solid and put a tremendous focus on being the employer of choice.

Some unique things we do to achieve our mission for staff culture include complimentary childcare, scholarship opportunities, employee assistance program and our manager in development program, Kent University, which gives front line staff an opportunity to learn more about the club and receive more out of their employment experience while employed at Kent Country Club.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Ward Sutton, and I am beginning my fifth season as the General Manager of Kent Country Club. I have been working at Club’s since the age of 12 picking the driving range after school. I have a passion for golf and my career as an adult began after college as an assistant golf professional. I never imagined being a General Manager, my goal was always to be a head golf professional, but I had an opportunity present itself 15 years ago. I haven’t looked back and can’t imagine doing anything else. I am dedicated to self-improvement and being an example for my staff. I am a PGA Master Professional and CMAA Master Club Manager.

The club business is focused on improving lives, both for staff and the members we serve. We achieve this by having outstanding amenities such as golf, aquatics, racquets, dinning and social events.

We do all we can to get to a yes for the requests of our members. It’s a dynamic work environment; each day is unique and as long as the request enhances the experience for the member without taking away from the experience of other members, we try to be difference makers.

What I am most proud of is the success staff and our president has been recognized for over the past 6 months. Our Club President, Craig Welch III was recognized by Board Room Magazine as a top club president. Our Assistant General Manager, Tiffany Drye, won the Mid Manager of the Year for the Greater Michigan CMAA. Our Golf Course Superintendent, Mike Gianopoulos, received his CGCS designation from the GCSAA and won the GCSAA National Championship. Our Executive Chef, Mike Kehl, received his CEC designation from the ACF. Our Assistant Golf Professional, Ryan Bayer, won the Michigan PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year award. Our Director of Instruction, Jimmy Wisinski, wont the Michigan PGA Teacher of the Year award and Professional Development Award in addition to earning his PGA Master Professional designation. It is very reward to have a staff that has bought into the culture of the Club and have them be recognized for their effort into that culture.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I think the biggest pivot we have made at Kent Country Club is trying to thrive in the post COVID 19 employment arena. It has been a struggle to attract and retain talent. We have experienced a downturn in applications, applications that don’t show up for an interview, or quit quickly after hire-all of which were never experienced pre COVID 19.

We have put a lot of effort into overcoming those challenges by creating a positive work environment and focusing on being the employer of choice in our market. Wages have definitely increased but in addition, and more solution based, benefits have enhanced. Benefits due have a monetary value but they seem to attract and retain people due to the thought behind them and the human connection they create with an organization trying to improve the lives of the employees under their care.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

For the past 5 years we have made a significant effort in improving our physical plant and to focus on elevating the staff and member experience. We have spent in excess of 7 million dollars ensuring our facilities are up to standard, put a lot of time and energy into staff training and development and returning the Club to excellence in every measure. I think the combination of the buzz improvements create the noticeable difference in service members receive and the success stories from our teammates are the elements that have shaped our reputation within our market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kentcountryclub.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kentcountryclub/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kentcountryclub
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kent-country-club/posts/?feedView=all
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCho8gr6uzYGK_jvnDtHr37A