SLIPPERY ROCK — For 13 years, the winner of the Butler Eagle Amateur Open has tried to repeat as champion.

For 13 years, he's failed.

He might not reach 14.

Defending champion Sean Knapp, who won the 2008 Eagle Amateur with a 2-under-par 68 at Oakview Golf Club, will return to Oakview Sunday for this year's event.

The one-day, 18-hole tournament is designed to crown the best amateur golfer in Butler County. Knapp resides in Oakmont and is a member of the country club there, but also is a member of St. Jude Golf Club in Chicora.

"He's the odds-on favorite to win it again," said 2007 Eagle Amateur champion Rob Voltz. "Sean might be the best amateur golfer in this region, let alone around here.

"He just shot a 63 at St. Jude from the back tees last week. Sean's playing great right now. He's just a natural golfer, one of the best there is."

Knapp signed on to play at the last minute last year. He joined the field much earlier this time.

"I've always enjoyed playing in competitive events and I like Oakview's course," Knapp said. "It's routed well and it's in excellent condition. It's a local event, so why not come out and play?"

Knapp said part of tournament golf is being able to decide, round by round, whether to play aggressively or conservatively.

In a single day, 18-hole event, such strategy doesn't come into play.

"It's a sprint, so you pretty much just have to go for it," Knapp said. "You're not going to know what the competition is doing.

"It's a crapshoot because it's hard to get separation from the field."

The prospect of becoming the first golfer to win consecutive Eagle Amateurs means plenty to Knapp.

"I'm big on those types of things and, hopefully, it will come through," he said. "But there's a reason why no one has repeated. The fact that it's an 18-hole tournament probably has a lot to do with it."

Voltz is skeptical that Knapp will miss the opportunity to make history.

"I'd almost bet money he'll do it," Voltz said. "He's going to have to play below his average and somebody else will have to play great to beat him."

Bill Black, a former Eagle Amateur committee member who moved to Hershey a few years ago but maintains his membership at Oakview, has signed up for the tournament again.

Black is the defending 50-and-over seniors division winner. Golfers don't sign up solely for the seniors division. Anyone in that age range who registers for the Eagle Amateur is assigned the proper flight and automatically qualifies for the senior division as well.

"I probably play at Oakview 20 to 25 times a year," Black said. "We come home every other weekend and on vacations."

Black shot a 4-under 140 at the Manada Senior Club Championship in Hershey last fall.

"I was one of the guys who helped resurrect the (Eagle Amateur) in 1995 and I still enjoy playing in it," Black said.

Black said he has no problem with Knapp joining the tournament field.

"You get a player like him, it intensifies everything," Black said. "Sean is a national-level player and his presence is a true challenge to top local guys like Rob Voltz, Geoff Patterson and Jon Pratkanis, to name a few."

Tournament committee member John Carpenter said that 80 golfers had signed up for this year's event through late July. Last year's tournament drew 135 golfers.

Tee times are at 7:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Entry fee is $65 and includes greens fees, skins game and prizes. It does not include a cart.

"We're still anticipating a strong turnout," Carpenter said. "There are always a lot of late sign-ups for some reason."

To register, call Carpenter at 724-794-4040.