FRANKLIN TWP — The 2010 Butler Eagle Amateur Open takes place Aug. 8 at Lake Arthur Country Club.

The 18-hole stroke play tournament is designed to crown the best amateur male and female golfers in Butler County.

Held at Oakview Golf Club the past two years, the Eagle Amateur is returning to Lake Arthur for the first time since 2006.

"We try to spread the event around to all golf courses interested in hosting it," Eagle Amateur committee member John Carpenter said.

While there have been six years when there was no tournament, this marks the 50th anniversary of the original Butler County Open. The tournament has been held annually since 1995.

John Hafera won the first Butler County Open in 1960 and repeated as champion the following two years. There has not been another three-peat in the event's history since.

Sean Knapp has the opportunity to be a three-time successive champion this year, having won the Eagle Amateur the past two years at Oakview. He carded a 5-under-par 65 last year.

"We haven't gotten letters out or applications to various golf courses yet," Carpenter said. "If Sean doesn't have a conflict, I'm assuming he'd enter. But we don't know that yet.

"Entry forms should be available at local golf courses in a couple of weeks."

Before Knapp, the last golfer to win the tournament in successive years was current St. Jude golf pro Ron Milanovich, who did so in 1971-72. Ray Weiland and Don Gaiser also won in successive years.

Milanovich, Weiland, Hafera and Bill Black are the only three-time champions of the event, period. Ricky Hrip is the lone four-time champion.

Carpenter said registration forms will be mailed out to approximately 200 golfers as well.

Last year's tournament had 158 total golfers and marked the second year for the 50-over seniors division and first year for a women's division. Committee member Bill Black is two-time seniors division champion.

A golfer must be age 50 or older on the day of the tournament to qualify for the seniors division.

Marsha Green bested a field of 10 women to claim that title in 2009.

"We're hoping to at least double the number of women in this year's tournament," Carpenter said. "We want to get at least 150 golfers in the overall field."

The Eagle Amateur had 144 golfers at Lake Arthur in 2006. Those numbers were at 176 in 2002 and 182 in 2001 when the event was held there.

Tee times will again be at 7:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Golfers will be divided into four flights: 0-6 handicap in the championship flight, 7-12 handicap in the first flight, 13-17 in the third flight and 18 and above in the fourth flight.

Entry fee is $65 and includes green fees, skins game by flight and prizes. It does not include a cart.

Call Carpenter at 724-794-4040 for more information. Black, Tom Sheehan, Jay Frederick and Rob Voltz are other committee members.

This marks the 50th anniversary of the Butler Eagle Amateur Open, known as the Butler County Open before its rebirth in 1995. Here is its all-time victory list:<b>Year Winner</b>2009 Sean Knapp2008 Sean Knapp2007 Rob Voltz2006 Nathan Bilski2005 Doug Knox2004 Mike Toubakaris2003 Chris Marron2002 Mark Young2001 Chuck Young2000 Greg Minda1999 Sean Swidzinski1998 Dave Hungerman1997 Bill Black1996 Jim Hepler1995 Mark Young1994 no tournament1993 no tournament1992 no tournament1991 Bill Black1990 no tournament1989 Dave Butch1988 Dave Hungerman1987 Mike Matz1986 Ralph Smith1985 Dave Butch1984 Bob McFeaters1983 Bill Black1982 Ray Weiland1981 Ricky Hrip1980 Bob McFeaters1979 Jim Cichra1978 Ricky Hrip1977 Dennis Osborne1976 Ron Milanovich1975 John Marron1974 Dennis Osborne1973 Ricky Hrip1972 Ron Milanovich1971 Ron Milanovich1970 Ricky Hrip1969 Ray Weiland1968 Ray Weiland1967 Mitch Fudoli1966 no tournament1965 no tournament1964 Don Gaiser1963 Don Gaiser1962 John Hafera1961 John Hafera1960 John Hafera