SUMMIT TWP — Head to Hiland for a round of golf and you will see plenty of familiar faces.

You will also see gradual upgrades at the facility.

“We took out 300 trees this year,” said Terry Rottman, the course's general manager. “We put three new rain shelters out on the course as well.

“Each year, we get rid of six old golf carts and bring in six new ones. We're always doing what we can to steadily improve the course.”

Hiland Golf Course owner Sarah Zediker — who continues her family's ownership of the facility for decades — said that new carpeting has been installed in the restaurant area of the clubhouse.

New woodwork has been done in the clubhouse and a new entrance sign is being installed as well.

Future plans include paving the cart paths and improving the maintenance building.

“I miss my brothers and my parents (who have passed away), but I can't change any of that,” Zediker said. “But we've had people working here for a long time.

“Some of them worked here when they were younger, retired from their careers later and came back. They miss it. This is a great place.”

Greg Hesidence has been the course superintendent for 11 years. Danny Croyle has been the manager for more than 15 years.

While much of the golf clientele has been regulars for years, Hiland does attract golfers from outside the neighborhood.

“We get people from the Natrona Heights and Freeport area, Canadians come down here twice a year for golf trips ... We do see new faces golfing here quite a bit,” Rottman said.

“Probably 75 percent of our clientele consists of women and seniors (age 60 and older). We're adding new tee boxes for the seniors if they want to play a more challenging round. We have a senior and lady-friendly course.”

Zediker said every customer is treated the same.

“People come here as strangers and leave here as friends,” Zediker said. “Even most of the people who work here ... We never even interview these guys. We just know them.

“The rain shelters we put in are for the golfers. This course extends pretty far out there and we wanted to make sure our golfers had a comfortable place to take shelter when bad weather rolls in.”

Hiland is home to 14 leagues, most of them consisting of 25 golfers or more.

Numerous outings are scheduled each year at Hiland. Buck Ridley's annual veteran's golf outing — in which only veterans can play, with proceeds benefiting homeless veterans — is June 22, The O'Donnell Open is July 20, Karns City Roundball outing July 27, Karns City Softball outing July 28.

The Battle of the Bars is set for Sept. 14. Hiland is the host course for this year's Butler Eagle County Amateur on Aug. 11.

Zediker coaches the Butler High School girls golf team. That team's annual golf outing is Aug. 17.

Another popular feature is night golf, held occasionally on Saturday nights on the front nine holes. The golf balls glow in the dark, as do the flags on the holes and the outline of the greens.

“We can take 72 golfers for that and people love it. It's extremely popular,” Zediker said.

Hiland offers memberships that are good for unlimited golf all year. They cost $650 for walkers, $1,200 with a cart. A 20-league pass is available to league golfers. They cost $175 and are good for 20 rounds of golf Monday through Friday.

Regular golf rates vary on weekdays and weekends, with senior discounts available. Golfers can walk four holes for $6, play four holes with a cart for $10. Clubs can be rented for $5, pull carts for $2.

The restaurant offers wraps, wings, wedges, pizza, subs, specialty sandwiches, even breakfast sandwiches. Food is served from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“People will come here just to eat, some order takeout,” Zediker said. “Some golfers like a breakfast sandwich before they begin their round.

“We just want our customers to enjoy their experience here. Like I said, they're all friends to us.”