BUTLER TWP — For generations, VA Butler Healthcare has improved the lives of veterans in this area by aiding our country's heroes.

Since 1946, the VA's lengthy presence in the Butler community has been accompanied by a group of golfers who get more satisfaction of a few good laughs than a drive down the middle of the fairway.

The VA Golf League is celebrating its 65th season, which by many accounts, makes it the oldest golf league in Butler County. Krendale Golf Course, built in 1949, has played host to the group for as long as the members' memories can reach.

The rare longevity of the league — currently 27 golfers strong — has been made possible by consistent participation from VA employees, including some who stuck around for decades.

Carl Divers, 75, joined the league in 1960 and Dr. Bill Kredel, 74, started taking swings in 1967. That's nothing compared to Jay Hilliard, though, whose tenure in the league began in the early 1950s.

All three worked at the VA and Kredel recalled the golf league presenting an opportunity to meet more of his co-workers.

"At one time it was made up of mostly employees. It was an ideal atmosphere to meet people that you wouldn't meet at the VA in a work situation," Kredel explains. "This was a social situation. Then when you saw them in the hospital, you could say 'Hey' to them."

Although Divers joined the VA Golf League over 40 years ago, he had no trouble remembering why he started making the weekly commitment.

"We always had a good time," said Divers. "It was the camaraderie. If I hadn't been in the league, I probably never would have golfed."

Divers found a home at Krendale, though, and the decision to pick up golfing translated to a lifetime of memories.

"There's just been so many good times and good laughs," he said. "We go out there and we have fun."

Accompanying friends on the course was optional, but joining the military was typically an inevitable fate.

"In my generation, everybody was a veteran because of the draft," said Kredel. "I wasn't drafted, but you could either be drafted or volunteer, so you were going sooner or later."

Kredel landed with the Air Force in northern Wisconsin. He was never in any imminent danger, but that doesn't stop him from firing a joke.

"I tell people that I'm a veteran of the Cuban Missile Crisis," he said with a laugh. "I was in (the service) when that was going on, but I was very safe because the last place they would bomb was Wisconsin."

Divers signed up with the Army Reserve as a teenager in 1953 and later transferred to the Air Force.

"I loved every bit of it, especially the flying," said Divers. "I got to travel in the Air Force. I was all around the world — all over Europe, all over the Middle East, Japan, Philippines and I almost went to Vietnam once."

Hilliard served with the Army and Navy during his tenure with the military.

The trio of the longtime league members eventually turned their military stints into careers at the VA.

Kredel earned his doctorate in 1961 and worked as a dentist. Divers was an X-ray technician and Hilliard was a surgical scrub technician. None of the three currently play in the league, but Divers plans to return next season if he's cleared with a clean bill of health.

The elevation at Krendale makes it difficult for the elder members of the league to continue competition. Their steps are a bit slower, but they have no problem trading barbs with the younger golfers.

"Tell him about all of those hole-in-ones you got," said a league member to Hilliard with a heavy hint of sarcasm.

"Yeah, the holes were about this big," replied Hilliard with his arms stretched to the maximum.

One major difference between golf today and 65 years ago is the equipment. Technology has improved greatly over the decades. Golf carts — unheard of then — give athletes the option to ride instead of walk. The clubs have evolved tremendously, as well.

It's phenomenal, the change in the woods to metal," said Divers. "It's very shocking the way some of the guys could play (back then)."

Kredel agreed, but pointed out an undeniable truth for anyone who's stepped foot on a golf course.

"It's still a very difficult game," he said. "The clubs have gotten easier to hit, I think, but it's still a tough game.

"I enjoy the game and I enjoy the guys I play with," added Kredel. "So, that's what it's all about."

That's the kind of attitude that has kept the VA Golf League afloat for the better part of a century.

It nearly folded two years ago because of confusion over who would run the league. However, it's alive and well.

One of its biggest draws is an invitational tournament that's sponsored by the VA Golf League and includes other VA Medical Centers.

Despite the enjoyable camaraderie and annual tournament, Divers admitted he was surprised the league has managed to stay alive.

"In a way, yes, because most leagues don't last that long," said Divers. "It is incredible."