BUTLER TWP — Nothing lasts forever.

The Tri-Boro Golf League is coming close.

The men's circuit began at Venango Trails in 1959. It has called the Krendale Golf Course home since 1961.

Ralph Gross, 90, who coached the Seneca Valley High School golf team for 23 years, has been a member of the league since its second season. Carl Huffman, who turns 92 in July, is a charter member of the circuit and had to drop out this year for health reasons.

“My knees are so bad, I can't enjoy the game anymore,” Huffman said. “I miss the people. I miss the relationships.”

The league began with 30 golfers 62 years ago. Members came from Evans City, Zelienople and Mars.

“That's how the Tri-Boro name originated,” former president and longtime league member Ron West said.

The league has grown stronger through time.

League play — consisting of 9-hole match play — takes place every Thursday. Krendale keeps the course open from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for teams to tee off.

This year's circuit has 72 golfers broken into eight nine-men teams.

“This is the most golfers we've had in years,” league statistician Tim Schoeffel said. “One reason the league has grown is that it's competitive. The teams are balanced and the head-to-head play is exciting.

“Another reason is that it's a bunch of good guys. Everyone gets along. The camaraderie in this league is excellent.”

While Gross is the longest active member, he has plenty of company in that regard. More than 30 golfers have been with the league more than 25 years.

“There are a number of guys who have been there for 50 years,” Huffman said.

Ray Peaco has been president of the league for 18 years and a member for 36.

“The league keeps getting bigger as younger men keep joining,” Peaco said. “Bob Elliott is a longtime member, his son joined, a friend of his son's joined ... It keeps branching out.

“Everything runs smoothly because different people handle different responsibilities. One handles the finances, one handles the stats, one handles the food, etc.”

Gross referred to himself as “the worst golfer in the league,” considering 50 for nine holes “pretty good for me these days.”

The way the league is structured, the quality of play does not take away from the competitiveness of the matches.

As statistician, Schoeffel gathers the information on golfer handicaps. The eight lowest handicaps are team captains and conduct a draft of the other players.

“All of the golfers are bracketed into groups based on their handicaps and each captain must select one member from each of the other (eight flights),” Schoeffel said.

“I used to keep track of handicaps by hand. Now I've got a computer program set up that does it.”

He added that scores are revisited every three or four weeks and “if adjustments need to be made, we make them. Guys may get moved around.

“It's all about maintaining competitive balance.”

Peaco said the league has had as many as 80 golfers.

“It's just a good time,” he said.

Attendance on Thursdays is never a problem.

“Ninety-nine percent of these guys show up every week,” Schoeffel said. “If someone can't play that day, we make arrangements for them to make up the round on another day.

“Guys tee off at different times. Some of the retired guys show up earlier and get started. It all works out.”

League play began May 6. The playoffs wrap up Aug. 26 and a season-ending outing is held the following week at Slippery Rock Golf Club.

“This league is full of good men. That's why I'm still playing,” Gross said.

West agreed.

“Just a good bunch of guys to hang out with,” he said.