FRANKLIN TWP — The 23rd annual Butler Eagle County Amateur is slated for Aug. 13 at Lake Arthur Golf Club.

The 18-hole stroke play event — bringing together most of the top amateur players in Butler County — will have tee times available at 7:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Entry fee is $65, which does not include a cart.

“The first 164 golfers to sign up and pay are in,” Eagle Amateur committee member Rob Voltz said. “We can't go higher than that.”

Along with the championship, first, second and third flight winners, the tournament will award trophies to winners of the women's and seniors division. Seniors are golfers age 50 or older.

Voltz said entry forms will be available at area golf courses in a couple of weeks.

“This event has attracted the best amateur golfers around,” Voltz said. “Sean Knapp has won the West Penn Amateur. Rick Stimmel has played in the U.S. Open. Brent Rodgers has won the WPIAL. They've all played in this event.”

Knapp won the Eagle Amateur five times in six years, from 2008-13. Since the tourney became an annual event in 1995, only two other golfers have won it twice: Mark Young in 1995 and 2002, Voltz in 2007 and last year.

Voltz carded a 3-under-par 67 to win last year's rain-shortened Eagle Amateur at Cranberry Highlands. There were 166 golfers registered, but only the morning round (88 golfers) was completed as heavy rains washed out the afternoon session.

“That's a beautiful golf course, but you can't control the weather,” Voltz said. “Hopefully, we'll have great weather this year and a large turnout. I'd love to see more women get into the tournament. It's for everybody.

“The key to winning an 18-hole event like this is to to take advantage of your good shots by putting well. You don't get a second day to make up for your mistakes.”

Lake Arthur is hosting the Eagle Amateur for the first time since 2014, when Mike Marron topped a field of 164 golfers with a 2-under-par 70. He beat out Jenna Rinker and Nathan Bilski by two strokes.

Voltz said the Lake Arthur course “is in excellent condition.” The course has a new superintendent this year in Craig Fuller.

“I know they're very happy with him,” Voltz said.

Entry forms will be available periodically in the Butler Eagle as well as at area courses. Golfers may also register by calling Voltz at 724-822-4189.

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, 2015-Scott Vice, 2016-Rob Voltz