SARVER — Tradition and family mean a lot at Buffalo Golf Course.

There's 50 years worth of both on the property that was once an old farm before Harry and Margie Waldron bought the land and began building a golf course in 1966.

“We grew up in an old farmhouse here before it burned downed,” said Maggie Waldron, their daughter, who now co-owns the course with her brother, Ken. While Harry Waldron died a number of years ago, Margie is still somewhat involved with the family business. Now 88, she counts the money, makes the deposits — and plays a round at Buffalo every Friday.

Ken and Maggie have a sister, Laura, who lives in eastern Pennsylvania and has a small piece of ownership in the golf course. But the former two run the show.

Ken Waldron is a 2-handicap golfer himself. He once qualified for the state amateur tournament and plays the Buffalo course himself about four times a week.

He said the family has never thought of selling the facility, which is now in its 50th anniversary year.

“That's never even crossed my mind,” Ken Waldron said of the idea of selling the course. “I don't know what else I would do. My life is here.”

Maggie said that as kids growing up “we all worked at this course in some capacity.”

Now their children are doing the same thing.

Maggie's middle son, 22-year-old Steven Vento, took over as superintendent of the course within the past year. Her daughter, Alaina, 16, works in the snack bar.

Two of Ken's daughters — Rachael, 16, and Rebecca, 15 — work in the snack bar during the summer as well.

“I've been here since 2010 or so, either trimming fairways, working on the greens, mowing grass, whatever,” Vento said. “It's a challenging job.

“I'm on that course 12 hours per day, 70 hours a week — and I love it. The greens set us apart here. They're always in great condition.”

Ken Waldron pointed out that Vento “is out here at 4 a.m. getting the course ready. He takes a lot of pride in it.”

Vento has a few people on his staff helping to maintain the course, including Dean Aden at age 82.

“He's a mowing machine,” Waldron said.

“He's here four days a week and he always wants to do more,” Vento said.

Buffalo Golf Course also employs seven starters for about 12 hours per week each.

“They are all retired from other jobs and are very dedicated here,” Maggie Waldron said.

One of the flattest courses in Western Pennsylvania, Buffalo Golf Course is friendly to walkers. Weekday fee to play the course walking is $21, or $26 on weekends. Seniors 62 and over and students 18 and under can walk the course on weekdays for $17.

Riding carts are $7 per person for nine holes, $13 for 18.

The longest hole on the course is the 547-yard No. 6, the shortest the 146-yard No. 17.

Buffalo is home to the Freeport and Valley high school golf teams, along with 16 leagues. Most leagues are on the course from 4 to 6 p.m.

Golfers should call 724-353-2440 for tee times or book them online. For information about outings, email Maggie at maggie@buffalogolfpa.com.

Ken and Maggie Waldron have never strayed far from the golf course. After growing up on the property, both have homes only a few miles from the course today.

“It's amazing how far it's come ... definitely a family thing for us,” Maggie said.