SUMMIT TWP — The sun was shining in the sky. Things were even brighter on the course.

The 10th annual Operation Sandtrap — a best-ball golf outing played by veterans to benefit homeless veterans — took place Saturday at Hiland Golf Course.

“Everything went extremely well,” tournament director Buck Ridley said. “We had a lot of the same golfers and a few new ones, too.”

All proceeds from the event every year have gone to help homeless veterans. The golf outing is the brainchild of Ridley, a veteran himself.

Jim Stevens, a friend of Ridley's since their school days at Karns City and a fellow veteran, comes up from Myrtle Beach annually to play in the event. Tom Stivason came up from Florida, Larry Alberts from Georgia.

“I've come back for it each of the past five years,” Stevens said. “I love the patriotism, the Americana ... and it's for the vets.

“We're all out here having fun while raising money to help our own. There's nothing better.”

All branches of the military were represented on the course.

“This is an annual get-together we all enjoy. There is true camaraderie here,” Stevens said.

There were 141 golfers comprising 36 teams. The outing raised $1,700 for homeless veterans. Over 10 years, Operation Sandtrap has raised more than $30,000 for the cause.

Two females — Army veterans Ashlee Hershberger and Jenna Ingalls — were among the playing field.

“You have to be a veteran to play in this thing,” Hiland Golf Course owner Sarah Zediker said. “I can't even play in it. But we're very proud to host it every year.

“I don't think there's another event like this anywhere around here.”

Bill Barnhart, a friend of Ridley's, sang the national anthem. The Bradys Bend American Legion performed honor guard services and a 21-gun salute. Riders of the American Legion did a flag line as part of the opening ceremonies.

“Just a beautiful day all the way around,” Ridley said.

The foursome of Jim Divers, Jon Cross, Jim “Chief” Huselton and Jeff Birckbichler won the outing with a score of 14 under-par. There are no monetary prizes involved, however.

Seven golf courses — Olde Stonewall, Foxburg, Bavarian Hills, Hiland, Oakview, Aubrey's Dubbs Dred and Birds Foot — donated golf packages to serve as prizes. Divers' group chose Olde Stonewall.

Everybody on hand chose to donate in general.

“I donated to it (homeless veterans fund), the golf course did, so did so many others,” Zediker said. “It takes so many people to make an event of this magnitude work and Buck does a great job running the show.

“Now I'm looking forward to next year when we do it all over again.”