The 10th annual Butler Eagle Amateur Golf Open is less than two weeks away and less than a third of last year's field has registered.

Eagle Open Committee member Bill Black isn't worried.

"This is the way it's gone for us," Black said. "For some reason, people wait until the last week or so before they opt in.

"Last year, we had 87 golfers register after Aug. 1"

Black said he has received between 50 and 60 entries for this year's tournament, which is slated for Aug. 8 at Pheasant Ridge. He had received only 44 entries by this time last year.

The 2003 Eagle Open had 154 golfers finish. Chris Marron of Foxburg won the event, but he has yet to register this year.

Mark Young - the lone two-time winner of the Eagle Open since it returned as an annual event in 1995 - has registered to play, as has his father, 2001 champion Chuck Young.

Jim Fortuna and Rob Voltz, two golfers who have finished runner-up in this tournament without ever winning it, have registered as well.

Fortuna was club champion at Armco (now Oakview Golf Club) in 1999 and is a three-time seniors club champion there.

"I've played in this tournament eight times," Fortuna said. "I enjoy it because it's a well-run event that features some of the better players in the area.

"I doubt I'll be good enough to win anything, but I hope to shoot in the high to mid-70s. It all depends on my putting."

Fortuna said moving the tournament to Pheasant Ridge will likely result in higher scores.

"I've played there three times and it's a position-type course," he said. "A lot will depend on putting.

"The greens are tricky and there are some blind spots. It's a unique course and golfers who haven't played there before might have trouble."

Chuck Young said the winner will likely finish one or two strokes under par.

"It will be a talented field and somebody's going to break par," Young said. "Mark has been playing very well - he just shot 32 (for nine holes) at Hiland - and I like his chances.

"If he doesn't win it, I hope Rob wins it."

Voltz missed the cut by two strokes at this week's Pennsylvania Amateur Championship in Fox Chapel. He has finished second or tied for second in the Eagle Open each of the past three years.

"I would like to win, sure, but trying to win any tournament in just 18 holes is tough," Voltz said. "Somebody ends up having a great day and it's hard to keep up with it.

"This tournament always has a strong field. As many as 10 to 15 players have a legitimate chance to win this," he added.

Add the narrow fairways of Pheasant Ridge to that mix and the outcome really becomes unpredictable.

"There are a lot of lateral hazards out there that we're not used to seeing on the courses around here," Young said. "If you're not accurate off the tee, you're going to be moving your ball and taking a penalty stroke."

Young played Pheasant Ridge for the first time Monday in preparation for the Eagle Open.

"I was at par through 14 holes and finished with an 81," he said. "I ran out of gas.

"You have to keep it in play or there will be a lot of double and triple bogeys. My son can crush the ball off the tee, but he's only using one or two drivers in the tournament. He's hitting irons to keep the ball straight," he added.

Voltz has played Pheasant Ridge only twice.

"It's a different kind of golf course," he said. "It's kind of short, but if you're not accurate, you're in trouble."

Black said more entries are coming in from the southern end of the county than in past years.

"I'm sure a lot of those people play Pheasant Ridge on a regular basis and feel they might have an edge," Black said.

Entry fee is $65 for the tournament and includes greens fees, cart and prizes. Application forms are available at Stoughton Acres, Lake Arthur Country Club, Hiland, Pheasant Ridge, Oakview and Shamrock Golf Course.

Entries are also available through the coupon in the Butler Eagle or by calling Black at 724-283-8656.

Golfers can choose either a 7:45 a.m. or 1:15 p.m. shotgun start. Entry deadline is Aug. 6.