SUMMIT TWP — The seventh annual Operation Sand Trap charity golf event takes place Saturday at Hiland Golf Course.

Hiland has hosted this golf outing — played by veterans to benefit homeless and disabled veterans — each year.

“We’re very proud to have this event every year, proud of what it stands for,” said Alan Zediker, whose family owns the course. “Our father was a veteran.

“My sister (Sarah) and I are excited to be a part of this.”

Operation Sand Trap is the brainchild of Bruin resident Buck Ridley, who served in the Navy from 1968-72. Now 66, Ridley has been golfing at Hiland for more than 40 years.

While in the VA Hospital a number of years ago, he read a magazine article about how many veterans were homeless.

“I was appalled. I wanted to do something to help,” Ridley said.

“When Buck approached us about the idea of a golf outing, we got on board right away,” Zediker said. “It’s really taken off.”

There were fewer than 60 golfers the first year of the outing. That number grew to a full field of 144 golfers each of the past three years.

This year’s field will be 136 golfers.

“We’ve got two foursomes that can’t be here, but this event is still very healthy,” Ridley said. “A lot of the same guys come back and play in it every year.

“We have a former Navy SEAL, from the Sewickley area, playing for the first time. Jim Stevens, a friend of mine from Myrtle Beach, comes up and plays every year. Bill Greer, also from Myrtle Beach, has come up to play each of the past three years.”

All proceeds from Operation Sand Trap will be sent to Riders of the American Legion, Butler post, and Bradys Bend American Legion. Both organizations have funding programs established for homeless and disabled veterans.

“We’ll probably donate around $1,600 this year, which will push us over the $25,000 mark since we started this outing,” Ridley said.

“You have to be a veteran or be active in the military to participate.”

Winners of the event receive four passes for a round of golf with a cart from courses that have donated those prizes: Olde Stonewall, Aubrey’s Dubbs Dred, Foxburg Country Club, Hiland, Oak View Golf Club and Bavarian Hills (St. Marys).

“This isn’t about money,” Ridley said. “None of these golfers want any money.

“This is about veterans helping each other.”

For the first time last year, golfers were encouraged to bring nonperishable items that could be donated to the homeless veterans center on Route 268. Operation Sand Trap is doing that again Saturday.

“That was a big success last year,” Ridley said. “We were able to donate canned goods, bed sheets, toothbrushes ... People brought all kinds of things.”

Shotgun start is slated for 8 a.m. Saturday.