Photo courtesy of The Arc of Shelby County.
Inverness Country Club was named Employer of the Year at The Arc of Shelby County’s 45th anniversary dinner. From left, Maurice Mercer, Arc Board President; Jim Mason, Inverness Country Club; Andrew Murdoch Inverness Country Club and Arc participant; Karen Stokes, Arc Executive Director; Chase Etheridge, Inverness Country Club; and Craig Sorensen, Southwest Water Company.
Inverness Country Club was recently named Employer of the Year by The Arc of Shelby County.
The club’s Superintendent, Jim Mason, accepted the award on behalf of the country club at The Arc of Shelby County’s 45th anniversary Community Awards on Sept. 5.
Steve Korson, general manager of Inverness Country Club, said he was shocked when Mason walked in with the award the following day.
“I have to give credit to my employees. They are phenomenal with the kids, loving, show them tolerance and do what you’d expect a human being to do,” Korson said. “It makes me feel good that I have that kind of staff and managers here.”
Several members from The Arc of Shelby County have spent time working at Inverness Country Club through outreach programs. Jennifer H. Ellison, director of development at The Arc of Shelby County, said the Employment Services program works with more than 80 employers throughout Shelby County to ensure individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to achieve their career goals.
Employment Specialist Jaime Lowery and Transition Specialist Trainer Jennifer Thomas worked with Inverness Country Club during these programs, and it was Lowery who nominated the country club for Employer of the Year.
Ellison said there is a quote by Henry Ford that says, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
“Each year, one employer is recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty in their efforts to ensure an inclusive work environment, and to me, Inverness Country Club truly exemplifies this quote and we are so grateful for their partnership,” Lowery said.
“They have been open and supportive in providing employment opportunities, and they truly go above and beyond in making participants feel valued,” Ellison added.
Andrew Murdoch began working at Inverness Country Club in June and worked several hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays cleaning and detailing golf carts, taking out the trash and doing other tasks as needed.
“He was so enthusiastic about coming to work and just did an amazing job,” Korson said. “He lives not far from here [and] gets to walk over. He is so bright and cheerful.”
Ellison said the management and staff truly made Andrew a part of their team and made sure he had the resources needed to do his job.
“They always greet him and tell him how they appreciate him cleaning their carts, and they have even offered to assist with transportation for Andrew if needed,” Ellison said. “While these may seem like small things, they have a tremendous impact on employees and do not go unnoticed by Andrew or his job coach.”
The Inverness Country Club also reached out to staff at The Arc of Shelby County about other opportunities and also participated in the JETS Summer Program, which provided a two-week work experience for Daniel Jennings. “Daniel worked for four hours a day, four days each week for two weeks doing basic prep work in the kitchen,” Korson said. “I have never met someone this happy. Daniel is one of the friendliest people I’ve ever met and the epitome of what I want in every employee. We were all sad when he left.”
Korson said one of the core values at Inverness Country Club is to be a refreshingly happy team that makes everyone notice and Jennings was exactly that.
Korson said Arc workers did a great job and were so dedicated and focused.
“They’re just a light to be around,” he said. “It makes everyone happy when we are around them, and I think it changes the dynamics of the employees we have here. I think the kids are getting job skills and confidence, and that’s probably what they need most.”
Inverness Country Club was also recently named the best golf course in Birmingham and runner-up for the country club with the best hospitality workplace by a local magazine.
“It’s been a good year for us,” Korson said. “We are having a lot of fun here.”
