Being a private, member-owned country club that features a world-renowned championship golf course means that not everyone gets to experience the excellence in customer service being afforded by the team at Benton Harbor’s historic Point O’ Woods Golf & Country Club, but those who do are treated to concierge-level service on a daily basis in every aspect of the club’s operations. The Point, as it is affectionately known, has a rich history in hosting championship golf tournaments and an extensive caddie program that has allowed local youth an opportunity to work and earn the Evans Scholarship to deserving caddies over the years. Additionally, the Point has hosted many events for local businesses from charity golf outings to high school proms. Many members are prominent business owners across Michigan’s Great Southwest and even into the Chicagoland area. Like any great establishment, the longevity of the staff is a testament to the Point being such a rewarding place to work. The nomination notes, “The level of service provided by staff is indicative of the pride they take in being employed at the Point O’ Woods.” From the moment you pull into the mile-long entrance road to the club, you can feel how incredibly special the property is, showcasing the beauty of Southwest Michigan and the golf course backs it up.” The staff brings amazing ‘Super Powers’ to the forefront daily, by “seemingly knowing the members/guests wants and needs prior to them even asking,” and “their ability to see the future and provide an experience that exceeds modern day expectations.” An illustrious past bodes well for a glorious future at the Point O’ Woods, another winner among the 20 Best Places to Work in Southwest Michigan for 2022. Read on for more.
What is the name of the business you are nominating?
Point O’ Woods Golf & CC
Who are the owner(s) and/or principals in this company?
Membership owned
Business Contact Information
Point O’ Woods Golf & CC, 1516 Roslyn Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
How many people work at the company you are nominating?
60
Tell us the story behind the nominated company. What does it do, and what sets them apart from other companies in the region?
Point O’ Woods is a private, member-owned country club featuring a Championship golf course, clubhouse offering multiple food options, events and weddings as well as pool with casual dining and racquet sports complex. The club has a rich history in hosting Championship golf tournaments, an extensive caddie program allowing local youth an opportunity to work as well as rich history with the Evans Scholarship awarding full scholarships to deserving caddies. The club has hosted many events for local businesses from Charity golf outings to High School Proms.
Aside from employing over 60 staff members our caddie program manages over 60-70 caddies each summer. Many members are prominent business owners in Southwest Michigan.
In your own words, why do you think this company deserves to be declared to be one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest?
Point O’ Woods not only employs members of Southwest Michigan but also has an amazing history of giving back not only to employees but also the community at large. The club is now offering Scholarship opportunities for staff and their family regardless of their position at the club; from kitchen staff to turf grass maintenance crew to servers and lifeguards at the pool. This is in addition to the prestigious Evans Scholarship for deserving caddies. The members annually make a donation to the Evans Scholarship in excess of $150,000 each year.
The membership also steps up every year to assist me in helping out a local charity by making pledges/ donations for my annual golf marathon. In the past 5 years I have been able to contribute over $6,000 annually to local charities; Flush Out Cancer at City Plumbing, the First Tee of Benton Harbor and most recently Folds of Honor Southwest Michigan Chapter offering Scholarships for fallen soldier’s families. Many businesses do a great job of taking care of their staff but Point O’ Woods takes it to another level.
What makes workers proud to say they work there, and keeps them a part of the team?
The longevity of the staff is a testament to the Point being such a rewarding place to work. The level of service provided by the staff is indicative of the pride they take in being employed at Point O’ Woods. We are in a service-oriented business and the success of the club is determined by the quality of service being provided. I am proud to say our membership is full. Having the opportunity to work at a facility with the storied history in the game of golf is very humbling. As many of the legends of the game of golf have raved about Point O’ Woods course as one of their favorites to play, it is difficult to not be proud of the experience we offer to our members and guests.
Let’s pretend you’re writing a review for Yelp! or Trip Advisor. Give us your best recommendation for the nominated company that would make the rest of us wish we worked there, too.
From the moment you pull into the mile long entrance road to the club, you can feel how incredibly special the property is. The property as a whole showcases the beauty of Southwest Michigan and the golf course backs it up. As you meander down the driveway and the beautiful clubhouse shows its face, you know you have entered a small slice of heaven. Whether you are arriving to play golf, use the swimming pool or have lunch or dinner on the deck of the clubhouse you know you are about to have an amazing experience. You can guarantee you will be greeted by a smiling, friendly staff member and will immediately feel you are most welcomed. The staff prides themselves on making you feel like the club is an extension of your home. The staff caters to your every need, generally prior to you even asking.
What three key words best describe why this company is a Best Places to Work caliber company?
- Integrity
- Loyalty to staff
- Philanthropic
As a Best Places to Work company “Super Hero,” what are the two most magical “Super Powers” this company seems to have on a day-to-day basis? (i.e., Ability to read minds, fly, invisibility, etc) And why?
Super Power One: Knowing the member / guests wants and needs prior to them asking
Super Power Two: Ability to see the future and provide an experience that exceeds modern day expectations
Tell us about the leadership of the nominated company and what they do in order to:
A] Keep spirits and motivation high? — The team is only as strong as our weakest link. Regardless of your position, your opinions matter to the success of the business.
B] Keep innovation and fresh ideas advancing? — The executive staff is constantly re-educating themselves and utilizing best practices from all over the country. Having an open mind to try new things and assessing successes and failures.
C] Keep communications open? — Regular staff meetings, open door policy for all staff members to discuss their ideas and concerns.
Explain a specific “wow!” moment in this company’s history that is virtually “Hall of Fame” or “Best Practices” worthy, as an example to other companies in the region.
To name one moment would be a slight mistake as what makes the Point’s “wow” would embody a larger body of work. Having awarding over 50 full-ride scholarships to Michigan or Michigan State over the past 50 years to deserving caddies definitely comes to mind. However, what these students then accomplished and how much they have given back to society later in life is tremendous. Not only does this allow a student to attend a university they otherwise would not be able to attend, they graduate 100% debt free and what they then do for others in the community validates why the program is so successful.
Best Places to Work have a reputation for not only working hard, but also for playing hard.
A] How does the nominated company honor or reward success? — We award an employee of the month
B] How does the nominated company socialize as a team? — We go out as a group for staff bonding…tour of Journeyman Distillery, BBQ at executive staff’s home, support local events as a group
C] How does the nominated company get involved in community events? — Community service…volunteer to fill food boxes around Thanksgiving, support local fundraisers
D] How does the nominated company celebrate life? — By giving back to others
Write a brief, but compelling, recruitment ad telling people about why they should come and work there, too.
If you are looking to become part of a team with a focus on family values and an opportunity to advance, the Point is the place for you. Come to work in a beautiful environment surrounded by very kind members who love to assist in advancing your career. This is your opportunity to work for very successful members who take pride in assisting you succeed.
What one thing is special about your nominated company that most people in the community have no idea actually happens there, but should be shouted from the rooftops because it’s that cool?
The membership thrives on assisting our staff move onto bigger and better things. As the club employs many high school and college students, the members are always willing to assist the students in achieving their long term goals. The amount of staff that is now successfully working in their desired field employed by members from the club is amazing. There are countless success stories of a past employee now working for a member and becoming very successful.
Give us three employee perks or benefits that you think make the company you have nominated worthy of a Best Places to Work trophy?
- Opportunity to play one of the best golf courses in the Midwest
- Working for a membership that will support you and your family in a variety of ways
- A true “Family First” mentality allowing for work/life balance
If this is your company and you win, write the best headline ever for your company newsletter describing your successful selection to the list, and be as specific as you can about how you would celebrate the win if money were no object.
Southwest Michigan now knows what we have always known, the Point is the best place to work!!!
This is the ultimate team victory so we must celebrate as a team. A night out at a local establishment enjoying great food and the service we generally supply to our members.
Tell us anything else you want about this company that you suddenly realize we haven’t asked you about, but you’re sure will be the thing that puts you squarely into the winner’s circle! (Wait a minute! Can you put a square in a circle?)
With the executive staff aside, we are a business that employs many youth from servers to caddies to life guards to turf grass maintenance. When we have past employees come back many years later with their success stories and how much the Point paved the way to their current success is the greatest compliment. From scholarships to providing golf clubs to those interested in learning to play this game, to members buying laptops for those who could not afford them, the club is all about giving back.
