CRANBERRY TWP — The Butler Eagle County Amateur golf tournament has a new home this year.

The 19th annual tournament — open to all amateur golfers who reside or hold memberships in the county — is scheduled for Aug. 11 at Cranberry Highlands.

“We’ve mainly been rotating between Hiland, Lake Arthur and Oakview,” longtime Eagle County Amateur committee member John Carpenter said. “This is only the second time we’ve ventured to another course in 19 years.”

The 2004 event was hosted by Pheasant Ridge.

Carpenter is hopeful of picking up new entrants for the 18-hole stroke play event this year.

“I’m anticipating golfers in the Cranberry-Zelienople area who know the Cranberry Highlands course well may opt in,” he said. “This is the first time the tournament has been down that way.

“We’ve developed a large core of golfers who play the Eagle Amateur every year regardless of the course. Hopefully, we’ll have another big turnout this year.”

Sean Knapp won the 2012 Eagle County Amateur, carding a 2-under-par 68 at Oakview to edge 2011 champion Bennett Smith by a stroke. Dave Ruffaner was two strokes back.

A member of St. Jude Golf Club, Knapp won the event for the fourth time in five years He claimed the seniors (ages 50-over) portion of the tournament as well.

Three-time Butler Country Club champion Jane Wyman, a first-time entrant last year, won the women’s title. She topped a field opf 14 women and vowed to return to defend her title.

There were 152 golfers in last year’s tournament, the fifth time in 10 years the playing field exceeded 150.

“Knowing the quality of Cranberry Highlands, there’s no reason to believe our numbers will drop,” Carpenter said.

Entry fee is $75, which includes greens fees, cart, skins game, lunch and prizes. The fee went up thisyear, but last year’s $65 fee did not include a cart.

Entry forms will be mailed to many of last year’s players. Forms will also be available at area golf courses or by calling Carpenter at 724-794-4040.

Shotgun starts will be available at 7:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. The championship flight is for handicaps 0-6, first flight for handicaps 7-12, second flight 13-17 and third flight 18 or over.

Travis Shingleton won the first flight a year ago while Kevin Zitzman won the second flight, Ron Vodenichar the third flight.

Joining Carpenter on the Butler Eagle County Amateur committee are Rob Voltz, Tom Sheehan, Jay Frederick and Bill Black.