SARVER — Saxon Golf Course is run by family.

It’s built an extended family as well.

The golf course has been purely a family business since 1976, when Frank Ekas Sr. bought out co-owner Bud Klingensmith. Frank Ekas Jr. has been the superintendent of the course for a while now and runs the facility.

“Dad’s still around, though,” Ekas Jr. said, smiling, as he pointed to a house yards away from the clubhouse. “He’s 92 and still lives there. When he feels up to it, he still comes down here, jumps in a cart and checks things out.”

Ekas Jr.’s wife, Shirley, has been secretary of the business for 13 years. A daughter, Tancie, has been clubhouse manager for 17 years.

“We love when March and April come and our golfers start coming back out,” Tancie said. “We find out how everybody’s been and are happy when we find out everybody’s well.

“We get to know our customers here. They do feel like family to us.”

Ekas Jr. estimates he’s working on the course “pretty much from dawn to dark,” every day.

“People ask me why I put so much time and effort into this,” Ekas Jr. said. “A golfer will come in after playing a round and say, ‘Hey, Frank, the course looks great today.’

“That’s the reason I do it.”

The Ekas family connection at Saxon runs deeper. A daughter, Krystle, 12, has started to get involved. She’ll cook hot dogs and help out in the snack bar.

Granddaughter Jenna, 18, and grandson Dylan, 17, come in to assist when time permits.

Ekas Jr. began working on the course when he was a child himself.

“I was 12 years old. I’ve been working out here for 44 years and never thought about doing anything else,” he said. “It’s my sole job and it’s my soul job. Either spelling would be accurate.”

Saxon Golf Course is a 27-hole facility. Its 18-hole course is billed as the flattest in Butler County — “probably the flattest in Western Pa.” Ekas Jr. says — and an executive 9-hole course is available as well.

“That’s been referred to as our hidden gem,” Tancie said of the 9-hole course, open since 1992.

Ekas Jr. has a crew of 12 to 14 people working with him in maintaining the course itself. He said the fairways are “my babies, I take care of them.”

Four retired school teachers are among those on his staff.

“We have retirees working here ... They’re more dependable,” Ekas Jr. said. “As people get older, they become more work-oriented.”

Tancie worked as a bartender in Saxonburg before taking on her duties in the clubhouse.

“I love it. I’m a very social person and I love talking to the people who come here,” she said. “We’re here for the people who come that door. If they have an enjoyable time on that course ... That’s what we care about,.”

The East Course — Saxon’s 9-hole course — can be played for $10 walking or $16 with a cart. Senior citizens receive a discount.

Weekday fee for the 18-hole course is $19 walking, $31 riding. One can walk nine holes there for $11 or ride for $17.

Calling ahead for tee times is encouraged on weekends.

“There’s no sand on this course and water comes into play on two holes,” Ekas Jr. said. “The overall course is pretty forgiving, though the back nine plays a little tighter.

“My favorite hole is No. 13. It’s a dog-leg left with a slightly elevated green and it’s a picturesque hole.

“But, overall, we’re pretty proud of this place,” he added.