The bully is back and the rest of the Butler Eagle Amateur Open field has to deal with him.

Sean Knapp, 48, an Oakmont resident and St. Jude Golf Club member for more than 25 years, will return Aug. 8 in search of a three-peat.

"I enjoy the event and it's run well," Knapp said. "The more competition you can participate in, the better it makes you."

Knapp first entered the event in 2008, when he carded a 2-under-par 68 to win at Oakview Golf Club. He returned to Oakview last year, shooting a 5-under 65 to defend his title.

This year's event is at Lake Arthur Country Club, a course Knapp had never played before he dropped by for a recent practice round.

"It provides a different challenge," Knapp said of Lake Arthur. "There's more meat on this golf course. It will require a lot more ball-striking.

"Oakview is a nice course, but it's more short-game oriented."

Tournament committee member John Carpenter said 90 golfers have registered so far for the one-day, 18-hole strike-play tournament that features shotgun starts at 7:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

Last year's Eagle Amateur had 158 golfers. The last time the event was at Lake Arthur (2006), there were 144 on the course.

"We always get a lot of late entries," Carpenter said. "I imagine we'll approach those figures."

But will anyone approach Knapp's figures on the scorecard?

"No doubt he's the best," said 2007 Eagle Amateur champion Rob Voltz. "Sean is a plus-6 handicap, so even if he's off his game a bit, he's going to shoot a 68 or 69.

"And in tournament play, Sean Knapp is rarely off his game."

Knapp is having another strong season. He won the Pennsylvania Golf Association's Amateur Public Links Championship, captured the West Penn Mid-Amateur and was runner-up in the West Penn Amateur.

Despite shooting a 66, he lost in the first round of match play at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.

Knapp will play in the morning round this year, as he has the previous two years.

"The fact this is an 18-hole tournament, yeah, there's a chance for other guys to get him," Voltz said. "But he's got to be off and the winner has to play one of the best rounds of his life.

"Mike Marron has been playing well and has a chance. I've played one tournament all year and shot an 80. ... More than likely, the rest of us will be battling for second," he added.

The only golfer to three-peat in this event was John Hafera, who won the former Butler County Open in each of its first three years (1960-62).

"One round is a sprint," Knapp said. "You don't have to be the best player to win. You just have to be the best player that day.

"You have to avoid having a disastrous hole, but if you don't play aggressively enough, somebody will beat you.

"There is some historical significance to this. When you have a chance to make history, you need to grasp it. The prospect of winning three in a row does serve as motivation for me," Knapp added.

Carpenter said Knapp's participation in the tournament gives the rest of the field a target.

"This should be an intriguing challenge for everybody," Carpenter said. "It's one round. Anybody can get hot and much of the field knows this course well."

Nathan Bilski shot a 3-under 69 to win the Eagle Amateur at Lake Arthur in 2006.

Bill Black is returning as two-time defending champion in the 50-and-over seniors division. Ten women already have registered as well.

Entries are still being accepted. Call Carpenter at 724-794-4040 to enter. Fee is $65 and includes skin games and prizes. It does not include a cart.

Tee times will be listed in the Butler Eagle's Aug. 6 edition.