CLINTON TWP — Frank Ekas Jr. remembers his first paycheck.

He was 12 years old.

“Back in 1972, I got paid for picking up golf balls on the driving range,” Ekas said. “And I'm still doing that.”

Only now he's 58 and is vice president and superintendent of Saxon Golf Course. He has been superintendent at Saxon for the past 28 years.

The golf course is practically an extension of his own backyard. His house overlooks the No. 7 hole on the back side of the course.

“I wish I took care of my own yard as much as I take care of this course,” Ekas said. “I don't know if it's a labor of love or a love of labor, but I'm out here from dawn to dusk pretty much seven days a week.

“I just enjoy working here too much. If you have to call what you're doing a job, you're not gonna like it very much.”

Ekas loves what he's doing.

Saxon Golf Course is a major part of his family's heritage. Numerous family members work there. His father, Frank Ekas Sr., bought the land and began construction on the golf course in 1958.

The golf course opened in 1960, making the facility 58 years old — as old as Ekas Jr.

The two share a birthday and Ekas treats the course as lovingly as he would a twin brother.

“You should do what you enjoy in life ... I like to cut grass,” he said.

The late arrival of spring has put Ekas “at least three weeks behind” in terms of the condition he'd like Saxon to be in by mid-April.

“The soil temperature is still cold,” he said. “(Early last week) it was 39 degrees. The soil has to be in the mid-50's for the grass to grow.

“But it will come. I expect things to change with the warm weather (over last weekend). We'll get there.”

Saxon is still open for business and allowed carts on the course for the first time early last week.

One thing the facility has added is a website. Visit www.saxongolfcourse.com for information on prices, the golf course's schedule, hours, etc.

Tancie Plutyk, who works in the clubhouse, designed the site with help from Jenna Plutyk.

“It's something we've needed,” Plutyk said. “We can be found on Twitter and Facebook, too.. “Just other ways to get the word out to our customers.”

While Saxon may be the flattest course in Butler County, Ekas does not advertise it as such.

“I say we're one of the flattest,” he said. “It's easy to walk here and the course is wide open, very forgiving.”

There is no sand on the course and every fairway is tree-lined. Water comes into play on the No. 10 and No. 18 holes.

Ekas said his favorite hole is the par-5 No. 12 hole, which plays 458 yards from the white tees.

“The second shot is a downhill lie with trees in the background. It is very picturesque from the tee box,” he said.

Through April 27, golfers can walk and play 18 holes for $18, or play 18 using a cart for $28. Nine-hole fees are $11 walking and $17 with a cart.

The nine-hole East Course, which opened in 1992, costs $9 to walk or $15 with a cart.

Oak, pine and maple trees can be found lining the fairways.

“I only play the course once or twice a year myself,” Ekas said. “I should play it more often, but it's hard to find the time.

“I could be having one of the worst days a person can have, but when a customer comes back in from playing and says, 'Hey, Jr., the course looks good today' ... That takes all of my worries away.

“If someone tells me there's a problem with a hole or a green out there, I'm getting out there to look at it and take care of the problem.

“I take pride in this place. It's family.”