CLINTON TWP — When pressed for a favorite hole, Frank Ekas Jr. opted for No. 12.

“There's a slight dog-leg left and the hole drops down into a slight valley,” said Ekas, the vice president and superintendent of Saxon Golf Course. “It's oak tree-lined and in the spring, summer or fall ... It's absolutely gorgeous.

“When the sun hits it in the right direction, there is nothing better.”

It's almost unfair to ask Ekas to pick a favorite, however.

He's on the course practically all day and night — on a tractor, not a golf cart —and has been at it for the past 28 years.

“I follow the last players out for the day,” he said. “And I'll keep working until I can't see anymore. I've got this tractor lit up pretty good, so I can work at night.”

Ekas, 58, picked up his first paycheck at Saxon when he was 12 years old. He was paid for picking up golf balls on the driving range.

He's never left.

His house overlooks the No. 7 hole on the back side of the course. His father, Frank Sr., lives in a house right in front of the golf course.

“Dad is 95 and still cuts grass here,” Ekas said. “This course has always been about family for us.”

Ekas' daughters, Tancie Plutyk and Krystle Ekas, work in the clubhouse. His uncle, Rich Ekas, helps to cut trees and works on court beautification,” he said.

The course's grounds lost four big trees during the winter and an ice storm caused branches to break off and fall on virtually every hole.

“But no damage was caused and those four trees weren't really a part of the course,” Ekas said. “We were fortunate that way. “We've still got plenty of beautiful oak trees around here.”

And Saxon continues to be one of the flattest golf courses in the region.

“It's very easy to walk this course and many people do,” Ekas said. “I's a very friendly, wide open course.”

Saxon officially opened its nine-hole East course in 1992, seven years after a tornado blew through the facility.

“Dad got the idea to put in another nine holes,” Ekas said. “We took our time with it. It plays a little tighter and the holes aren't as long.

“A lot of families play the East course. Women love it. Their husbands hit the ball hard and wind up in trees to the right or left. Their wives hit the ball down the middle and wind up beating them.”

A Wednesday youth league plays the East course with ages ranging from 9 to 18. Overall, 25 to 30 leagues play at Saxon. The facility has 190 acres.

The main 18-hole course has a 510-yard par-5 No. 9 hole and two other shorter par-5's. It has par-3 holes that play 140, 200 and 187 yards from the white tees.

The East course has no hole longer than 381 yards and that's the only par 5 on the course.

“It's great for beginning golfers and, as I said, families,” Ekas said of the East course.

Weekday fees for the East course are $11 walking and $17 with a cart. Weekday fees for the 18-hole course are $21 walking and $33 with a cart, or nine holes for $12 walking, $18 with a cart.

Tee times are not needed to play the East course. They are requested for the 18-hole course.

`“We always invite people to come try us out,” Ekas said. “When someone comes off the course and says, 'Frank, the greens were good today' or 'the fairways were good today,' it just tickles me.

“It makes my day.”