Veterans helping veterans
SUMMIT TWP — Veterans helping veterans — and they're standing in line to do so.
The eighth annual Operation Sandtrap — a charity golf scramble played by veterans with proceeds benefiting homeless and needy veterans in the area — went off without a hitch Saturday at Hiland Golf Course.
“We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day and everything went so smoothly,” course owner Sarah Zediker said. “There were no back-ups in play ... I can't complain about any of it.”
The idea for the event came from Buck Ridley, 67, of Bruin, who served in the Navy from 1968 through 1971. He organizes and directs the event annually.
There was a full field of 136 veterans playing in Saturday's event. The outing has been full for a few years now.
“I was over at the V.A. hospital nine years ago and read an article in a magazine about homeless veterans,” Ridley recalled. “I never knew there were so many of them.
“I wanted to do something about it. So I contacted Alan (Zediker) at Hiland about putting a golf outing together.”
Alan Zediker, who died last year, worked with Ridley on the event annually. Now his younger sister Sarah is carrying on that tradition.
Sarah Zediker said her family has always felt strongly about veterans and those active in military service.
“My father was a veteran who served in the Navy,” she said. “Mom was always proud of that and so were we. We're always deeply indebted to our veterans.
“It's such a sacrifice they made. Some gave all. We can never repay that.”
But Operation Sandtrap does its part.
Saturday's outing raised $2,400 for homeless and needy veterans in the Butler County area. Operation Sandtrap has raised $27,000 for that cause in its history.
“All of the money goes back out,” Ridley said. “The event is a four-man scramble and the golfers would never accept prize money. The winners received four-man golf passes donated by area courses.”
Area courses donating passes this year were Olde Stonewall, Aubrey's Dubbs Dred, Foxburg Country Club, Hiland, Bavarian Hills in St. Marys and Oak View Golf Club,
The Butler Riders of the American Legion formed a flag line during opening ceremonies at Hiland.Denny Witt of Butler was master of ceremonies and East Brady's Vanessa Bartoe — who has sung the national anthem at Pittsburgh Pirate games — performed the anthem for the golf outing.
Among the participating golfers were Chicora's Ashlee Hershberger — the lone woman playing — Larry Albert from Alabama and Jim Stevens from Myrtle Beach.
“Jim comes up here every year for this event,” Ridley said. “Larry is the brother-in-law of Butler's Fred Fritch. He heard about the event and wanted to come play.
“He said he'll be back next year to play again. This outing means a lot to a lot of people.”
Ridley emphasized that funds raised through Operation Sandtrap stay in the area.
“The help stays local. We want to make an impact right here,” he said.
