Hiland Golf Course all about family
SUMMIT TWP — History is a big part of Hiland Golf Course.
So are loyalty and family.
Course owner Sarah Zediker knows she has plenty of both.
The front nine holes at Hiland were built in 1916. Ralph Zediker, Sarah's father, put the back nine in during the late 1960's.
Hiland has been a Zediker family operation ever since.
“Alan (her brother) and I were the only two born into it,” Zediker said of the golf course business. “The rest of the family was already involved.
“Alan eventually took over the operation of the course and I went on with my teaching career. He did his thing, I did mine.”
Sarah was a teacher in the Butler Area School District and became the Golden Tornado's girls golf coach. When Alan died suddenly in August of 2016, she was the only Zediker remaining.
“Just like that, it was my place to run,” she said of Hiland. “I was nervous. I didn't want to mess everything up. I wasn't sure what was going to happen.
“I should have known better.”
Zediker soon realized she had plenty of “family” still hanging around.
Chuck Young, retired superintendent of the course, still helps maintain the course and has been doing so for 60 years or more. Course superintendent Greg Hesidence has been with the facility for years, as have assistants Denny Young, Fred Newell and Steve Young.
Danny Croyle is Hiland's inside building manager. General manager Terry Rottman is Zediker's husband. Employees wear shirts honoring the memory of late Zediker family members.
And then there's the loyal clientele that comes back year after year.
“They are all my family,” Zediker said. “I give out a lot of hugs around here.”
She takes care of that extended family, too.
Golfadvisor.com ranks Hiland as the 21st best public golf course in the country. Course workers have removed 10 trees from No. 18 and 150 trees from behind No. 11.
“We removed trees from No. 18 because roots were under the green and were drying it out,” Rottman said. “That was about improving the quality of the hole.
“We're looking to extend the No. 11 hole another 75 yards or so. That's a project that's in the works and will be completed down the road.”
Hiland plays host to a number of fund-raising tournaments. Included are Buck Ridley's annual veteran's tournament June 23, the O'Donnell Open July 21, Butler High School girls golf fund-raiser July 14, American Legion Post 828 June 2, Karns City Roundball July 28, Karns City High School softball July 29, the Kip Zulick fight against drugs Aug. 5, East Butler Fire Department fund-raiser Aug. 11, etc.“We contribute to all of those events in some way, shape or form,” Zediker said. “We've got 12 leagues here that have supported us for years, too.”A new event — the Can-Am Open — will take place at Hiland May 26.“There are 40 or 50 golfers from Canada who come and play here every year,” Zediker said. “Alan helped to arrange that and they really developed a relationship with him.“Those golfers bought a bench with an inscription on it 'in loving memory of Alan Zediker' that we put by our back patio.“Those Canadian golfers want to bring 40 people down, have us get 40 golfers from here, and play them in the first Can-Am Open. That should be fun,” Zediker added.Prices to play the course vary, depending on weekday or weekends, or seniors. Golfers can walk 18 holes on a weekday for $18 or ride for $31. Those rates on weekends are $22 and $35. Nine-hole rates are $9.50 walking and $16 with a cart on weekdays, $12 and $18.50 on weekends.One deal at Hiland few golfers know about is playing holes 1-4 for $6 walking, $9 with a cart.“Some people just want to come out and hit for a little while,” Rottman said. “That's a good way to do it.”The meeting room area of the clubhouse — which seats 100 comfortably — has been renovated. Hiland's dining facility “has something for everyone,” Zediker said.“Some people like to sit by the bar and watch the TVs,” she said. “Some like to eat outside on the patio, some at the tables inside. Everybody is different and we accommodate everybody.”Calling ahead for tee times is recommended.“We're part of the community and we try to serve the community,” Zediker said.
