‘Iron’Man’ at Hiland
SUMMIT TWP — Ed Cypher glimpsed at a 1964 photograph of his golf league members the other day.
“I noticed only three people in that picture are still alive,” Cypher, 88, said. “Chuck Young, Chuck Neigh and myself. That was it ... makes me realize how fortunate I am.”
That photo was of the Monday golf league at Hiland. Cypher still plays in that circuit — now known as the Iron City Golf League — and he just completed his 65th season. The league features 10 teams and 60 golfers, along with 15 social members and five or six substitutes.
All have respect for Cypher, enough to present him with “The Iron Man" award to commemorate his longevity.
“Ed is an inspiring player to all of us,” league secretary John Reid, 62, said. “He goes out there and gets after it. He takes no prisoners out there.”
Cypher’s team, known as Whack N’ Chase, won the league championship this year. Doug Jackman, John Colsini, Rick Wilbert, Charlie Ritchey and Jeff Green were his teammates. It marked Cypher’s third league championship in the past 10 years.
“Consistency is his big thing,” Reid said. “Ed hits the ball down the middle every time.”
“That’s my strength,” Cypher said. “I don’t get in trouble too much. I don’t hit it far, but I keep it in the middle. That’s how I play.”
And he still plays often.
Cypher plays in the Chicora Moose League on Wednesdays at Hiland and in a Friday league there. He said he lives 10 minutes from the golf course.
He secured the lone hole-in-one of his life on the No. 15 hole at Hiland when he was approximately 75.
“My first one, only one ... probably my last one,” he said, laughing.
Hiland Golf Course owner Sarah Zediker describes it as “an honor” watching Cypher play there over the years.
“He knew my brother, knew my father,” Zediker said. “He’s like part of the family here. His wife always played here, too. They were a fixture.
“Ed is still so accurate with his shots. It may not go far, but it goes where he wants. We’re thankful to have him here all these years.”
Cypher and his wife, Dolores, have been married for 64 years. Health issues forced his wife to give up the game. She played in women’s leagues at Hiland for a number of years.
Cypher said he has not decided yet whether he will return to league play next year, “though my wife says I’m done,” he said. “It will depend how I feel. My knees are shot. My back isn’t real good ... but I feel like I can still play.”
A graduate of Worthington High School, Cypher enlisted in the Navy when he got out of school. He served from 1953 through 1957.
“I used to play baseball and basketball when I was in school, but our high school didn’t have a team then,” he said. “My buddies and I all got together and played. They knew when I was getting out of the service and a lot of them were already in that golf league at Hiland.
“They even saved a spot for me. I had to join — and I’ve never left.”
The Iron Man Award was a surprise to him.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Cypher said. “Those boys in that league treat me so good. If it wasn’t for them, I probably wouldn’t still be golfing. They watch me and don’t let me fall.”
While Cypher isn’t sure about his league status next year, Zediker is sure of one thing.
“League play or not, we haven’t seen the last of him out here,” she said. “He’ll still show up and play a round here or there. No way is he giving it up totally.”
