Since winning the Butler Eagle County Amateur in 1997 — two years after being instrumental in the rebirth of the golf tourney — Bill Black has undergone some life changes.

Some by choice, some not.

Now 69, Black retired from his job as an equipment operator for the City of Butler in 2007. He and his wife, Diane, relocated to Hershey that year to accept a position as house parents for Milton Hershey School, a coed facility for low income and needy families.

“I graduated from Milton Hershey School in 1971,” Black said. “Back then, it was a school for orphans or half-orphans. My mother died when I was 11. My three brothers and myself graduated from that school.

“That school meant a lot to me. We went back to give back.”

Black and his wife served as parents to 10 young boys, ranging from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade.

“Yes, it was a handful,” Black said, laughing.

Always an avid golfer, Black recalled working with Dave Butch, Dave Krason, Ron Brueckman and a few others in bringing back Butler County’s annual amateur golf tournament in 1996.

“Rich Minto used to put it together and run it. I won the event in 1992 and Rich couldn’t do it anymore after that year,” Black said. “We didn’t have the event for a few years and people missed it.

“I asked Rich if he’d mind if a few of us brought it back, took it over. He had no problem with it. We got the Butler Eagle on board as the sponsor and I love the way it’s taken off since then.”

Mark Young won the Eagle Amateur in 1995, its first year back. Jim Hepler won in 1996 and Black took the title in 1997. All three played in the event last Sunday at Hiland Golf Course.

Black played in the Amateur for the first time since 2012.

“I figured it marked the 25th anniversary since I won it, so I better get out there and play,” he said.

Being able to play meant a lot more to him than that.

“I went through two major back surgeries,” Black said. “The first was in 2014, the second in 2017. I couldn’t play golf for five years. That was a rough time.”

When the Blacks moved back to Butler in 2019 — they never sold their house here — he decided to go out and try to golf again.

“I’m a 5-handicap from the senior tees, an 8-handicap from the regular tees,” he said. “My back doesn’t bother me when I swing, so I’m able to play. That and my age ... I guess it’s all catching up to me.”

Retired Slippery Rock University sports information director John Carpenter golfs with Back twice a week.

“Bill still has a really good game and he’s competitive,” Carpenter said. “I enjoy playing a round with him because he is so competitive.”

Black carded an 80 at Sunday’s Eagle Amateur, playing in the first flight. He is a member of Slippery Rock Golf Club and plays three times a week.

And he enjoyed his return to the Eagle Amateur.

Bill was joking with me that he shot a 66 when he won it in 1997, so add a stroke a year, he’d shoot a 92 this year,“ Carpenter said. ”He’ll never shoot a 92. He’s way too good for that.

“He had five 3-putts Sunday, so his putting hurt him a bit. But he’s having no problem, hitting the golf ball. He can still do that.”

And he still enjoys the Eagle Amateur.

“I love the job Rob Voltz and his group are doing with that tournament,” Black said. “It was exciting seeing all of the younger golfers out there playing ... and it felt good to get back out there.”