SLIPPERY ROCK — Entries are growing for the 27th annual Butler Eagle County Amateur golf tournament.

The 18-hole stroke play event is slated for Aug. 8 at Slippery Rock Golf Club. Shot gun starts will take place at 7:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

“We've got 92 people registered (as of July 23),” Eagle Amateur committee member Rob Voltz said. “That's actually a little ahead of schedule for us for this time on the calendar.

“We usually get a lot of entries in the final couple of weeks and we're counting on that again.”

Last year's event, held at Lake Arthur Golf Club, had a field of approximately 160 golfers. Geoff Patterson won the tournament in a one-hole playoff over Jeremy Plaisted.

Both shot 4-under-par 68 for the regulation 18 holes.

“Most years, you shoot 4-under and that's good enough to win it,” Plaisted said of the tournament. “But not last year.”

Plaisted, a 1999 Butler graduate now living in Seven Fields, has registered to play in this year's tournament. He has played in the Eagle Anmateur for 20 years, “missing a couple here and there,” and has never won it.

“It's a tricky tournament,” Plaisted said. “One or two bad holes can knock you completely out of it. That happened to me a couple of years ago.

“So much can happen during an 18-hole tournament. Even with that, it takes a good golfer to win that thing.”

Paul Ajak III, winner of the Tri-State Amateur earlier this seasion at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown, has registered for the Eagle Amateur. The Aspinwall resident shot a 2-under par 138 to win the Tri-State Amateur.

He is a member of Connoquennessing Country Club.

“I heard about this tournament and decided to give it a shot,” Ajak said. “An 18-hole event is a sprint, not much margin for error.

“There's situations where you have to go for it, others where you have to play it safe. You need to play a smart round. I'd rather any tournament be 36 holes rather than 18, but it's a challenge and I'm looking forward to it.”

Ajak said he has not played the Slippery Rock course in three years.

“I know you have to keep the ball straight there,” he said.

Other standout golfers registered so far are Ryan Pinkerton, Shawn Seybert and Ted Marron. Some younger golfers have signed up as well, including incoming Slippery Rock High School junior Jacob Wolak.

“He can hit the ball a long way,” Voltz said.

Slippery Rock Golf Club pro Rob McClellan's son, Levi, will be playing in the Eagle Amateur as will Aaron and Cory Voltz, sons of Rob Voltz.

“It's good to see younger players taking an interest in this tournament,” Voltz said.

Six women have registered thus far, including Jane Wymer, a multiple-time Eagle Amateur women's champion.

Mars resident Casey Morrow, who shot 1-over par to win the women's division last year, has yet to register. Last year's runner-up, Paige Scott, said she plans on playing in the tournament. Scott is a member at Slippery Rock Golf Club.

“Right now, we have a nice balance of players in the morning and afternoon groups,” Voltz said. “Our goal every year is to get a field of between 140 and 160 golfers.”

Registration deadline is Aug. 5. Entry fee is $75— $85 after Saturday — and application forms can be found in the Butler Eagle, Golfers may also enter by contacting Voltz at 724-822-4189 or at rvoltz@zoominternet.net.

Entry fee does not include a cart. Carts are available for an additional $20.

As always, the Eagle Amateur consists of four flights — championship (0-6 handicap), first (7-12), second (13-17) and third (18-up — and a Seniors division for golfers 50 and older.

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, 2008-10-Sean Knapp, 2011-Bennett Smith, 2012-13-Sean Knapp, 2014-Mike Marron, 2015-Scott Vice, 2016-Rob Voltz, 2017-Scott Vice, 2018-Jeremy Enslen, 2019-Brent Rodgers, 2020-Geoff Patterson