SUMMIT TWP — Directions to Hiland Golf Course? Not necessary.

Everyone knows the way — and a whole lot more about each other.

“There’s more than a family atmosphere here,” facility owner Sarah Zediker said. “This place is like (old TV sitcom) Cheers, the bar, where everybody knows your name. It seems that everybody here knows everybody else. That’s how it’s always been.”

Zediker, a retired Butler school teacher, took over as full-time owner of Hiland Golf Course when the previous owner, her brother, Alan, died in 2016. The course has been in the Zediker family for decades.

“I’m the last in line,” Zediker said. “Everyone here has stuck with me. I am so grateful and thankful to all of them for the support. I am so blessed.”

She’s surrounded by familiar faces.

Greg Hesidence has been superintendent at Hiland for 17 years. Retired superintendent Charlie Young still helps to maintain the course. He is 83 now and began working at the golf course at age 12.

Dan Croyle has been the clubhouse manager for 22 years. Charlie Young’s brothers - Pup, Amos ad Jerome - all help out on the course as well. Fred Newell has been helping on the course for 21 years.

“Weed-eating, mowing, planting flowers, mulching ... he does it all,” Zediker said of Newell.

Many of the clubhouse workers are students who are home for the summer or on break. Zediker said the customers know all of them as well.

“The leagues that play here know each other, the girls know what drinks to bring them after a round of golf ... It’s comical, the familiarity that’s here,” Zediker said.

Improvements to the course are always in the works. Hiland general manager Terry Rottman said a new green on hole No. 11 will be put in and ready for next year. An electrical service line will be installed across the course in October that will assist in irrigation.

New landscaping equipment has been brought in as well.

“It’s always an aesthetic experience playing here,” Rottman said.

Hiland is home to 16 leagues, many of which have played there for years. The Larry George/Monroe Hotel league has been at Hiland for 45 years. The Thursday Night Ladies League has been around for 40 years, the Iron City League for 30.

The longest running league at Hiland is the Tuesday morning ladies league, which has been there for 60-plus years.

Numerous charitable golf outings and fundraising events take place at Hiland as well. Tucker’s Fairway to Heaven is a golf outing that uses its funds to allow a disabled adult or sickly youth to fulfill a dream of going hunting through the Camo-Care Hunt. Other outings benefit The Blind Association, suicide prevention, heart disease and scholarship funds.

Golf outings also benefit Karns City baseball, basketball and Moniteau softball. The annual Butler Eagle County Amateur takes place Aug. 10 at Hiland.

“We’re proud to host these events and we give the organizers and participants a break wherever we can to help things along,” Zediker said.

Hiland offers indoor and outdoor dining for golf events and the general public. Burgers, sandwiches and subs are typical fare though “we can cater any type of meal an outing wants,” Zediker said.

Golf fees are competitive with other area courses, with senior and active veteran discounts available.

Rottman worked in the construction business before joining the Hiland team.

“This is much more relaxing than the construction business,” he said. “And we’re here a lot more.”

Zediker and Rottman estimate they’re at the golf course 80 hours per week. They put in 25 hours on weekends because of various outings.

And they love it.

“This is our home ... and our family,” Zediker said.