SLIPPERY ROCK — The 21st annual Butler Eagle County Amateur golf tournament will take place Aug. 9 at Oakview Golf Club.

Oakview will be hosting the event for the first time since 2012, when Sean Knapp topped a field of 152 golfers. Knapp also bested a field of 158 golfers at Oakview in 2009.

Knapp did not play last year, as he competed in the U.S. Amateur that same weekend.

“At this point, I’m not sure if Sean will be playing,” Eagle County Amateur committee member Rob Voltz said. “I haven’t talked to him since February and his golf schedule is always busy.”

The Eagle County Amateur is a one-day, 18-hole stroke event that has been unpredictable by its very nature. Mike Marron, of Parker, is the defending champion, carding a 70 to win by two strokes at Lake Arthur Golf Club.

Besides Knapp — who won the event five times from 2008-13 — this tournament has produced 15 different champions since 1995.

“That is what makes it exciting,” Voltz said. “Get hot for a day and you can win it. And there are a number of golfers in this area capable of doing that.”

Voltz — the 2007 Eagle County Amateur champion — recently played 15 holes at Oakview before rain cut his round short.

Rain has been wreaking havoc on every golf course this summer.

“It’s just plain wet out there,” Voltz said. “Every golf course is like that now. We need a couple of weeks of warm, dry weather, to get back to normal.

“I imagine that stretch is coming, bit it hasn’t happened yet.”

The Eagle County Amateur has attracted more than 150 golfers for three straight years.

Marron bested a field of 164 golfers last year while Knapp topped a field of 174 at Cranberry Highlands in 2013.

This year’s event will again feature four flights, a seniors (age 50-older) division and women’s division. Greg Chiappini and Jerry Marron carded 73 to share the seniors title last year.

Slippery Rock resident Jenna Rinker cruised to the women’s title a year ago, shooting a 72 to best runner-up Marissa DeCola by six strokes. Rinker had tied Jane Wymer for the women’s title in 2013.

Wymer, who has won the Butler Country Club women’s championship multiple times did not play in last year’s Eagle County Amateur. She is already registered to play this year.

“I’m anticipating Jenna coming back, too, since she lives up that way,” Voltz said. “Those two might stage a pretty good battle again.”

Entry fee is $70, which includes greens fees, skins by flight, and prizes. A cart is not included in the entry fee. Entry forms are available through the Butler Eagle, area golf courses or one may enter by calling Voltz at 724-822-4189.

Tee times are available at 7:45 a.m. or 1:15 p.m.

BUTLER EAGLE COUNTY AMATEUR

Previous Winners

1995-Mark Young, 1996-Jim Hepler, 1997-Bill Black, 1998-Dave Hungerman, 1999-Sean Swidzinski, 2000-Greg Minda, 2001-Chuck Young, 2002-Mark Young, 2003-Chris Morrow, 2004-Mike Toubakaris, 2005-Doug Knox, 2006-Nathan Bilski, 2007-Rob Voltz, 2008-Sean Knapp, 2009-Sean Knapp, 2010-Sean Knapp, 2011-Bennett Smith, 2012-Sean Knapp, 2013-Sean Knapp, 2014-Mike Marron