FRANKLIN TWP — The Butler Eagle County Amateur happened to be in the neighborhood.

So Scott Vice decided to drop in — and win.

Vice, 43, carded a 4-under-par 68 to win the 23rd annual 18-hole stroke play event Sunday at Lake Arthur Golf Club. He beat out Sean Knapp — who happened to be one of his playing partners — by one stroke.

“I didn't know I was put in his group until yesterday,” Vice said. “I just met the man today.

“He was the favorite going into this thing, so I sort of knew how well I'd have to play to win.”

He was up to the task.

Vice had a two-stroke lead on Knapp with three holes to play. He then took a double-bogey on No. 14, victimized by a poor second shot on the hole.

“It was my only bad shot of the day, really,” Vice said.

Knapp took a bogey on the same hole, able to pick up only one stroke after missing a short putt. The two then birdied and parred their final two holes as Vice held on for the win.

Vice became the fourth multiple champion in Eagle Amateur history, joining Knapp, Rob Voltz and Mark Young in that regard. Vice won the event in 2015 at Oakview.

“I only live four houses down the street,” he said. “I'm only a nine-hole golfer ... If the kids are on vacation, I might go out and sneak 18 in on a weekend. That's about it.

“This was fun today. It's a great event and it was on a course I'm used to playing.”

Vice plays in the Tuesday men's league at Lake Arthur.

“This was extra special because my mom, day, godmother and godfather were in town, visiting from Kentucky, and they got to see this,” Vice said.

The best score of the morning session was turned in by 19-year-old Tucker Skerbetz. The former Butler student and Laurel High School graduate carded a 2-under-par 70. Butler graduate Jon Pratkanis had a 71.

Skerbetz placed third in last year's Eagle Amateur at Cranberry Highlands, shooting 1-under-par.

“The greens were firm and fast out here. Fast greens play much better for me,” Skerbetz said. Like Vice, he had seven birdies on the day.

“It's been a while since I've played golf competitively. I usually play a round with my dad and family, just nice and relaxing.”

Pratkanis only returned to golf two years ago, but was sitting at 4-under-par with three holes to go “when I ran into tree trouble.”

His tee shots on the final three holes all found the trees. Pratkanis' final drive hooked into the trees and was unplayable, forcing him to take a penalty stroke.

“I birdied my first two holes on the day. I just didn't finish well,” Pratkanis said.

Pete Brough, competing in the first flight, shot a 79 on the day, but converted a rare double-eagle when he sank his second shot on the par-5 No. 15 hole. It was believed to be the first double-eagle ever in tournament play at Lake Arthur.

Paige Scott, 13, carded an 80 and won the women's division for the second consecutive year. She is entering eighth grade in the Butler Area School District and won her age division in the PGA Junior series this summer.

Scott beat out Jenna Rinker by two strokes to win the women's title.

“I'm hoping to inspire other girls to play golf,” Scott said. “I'd love to have more friends who play the game.

“My goal is to help our (Butler High School) girls golf team get more players down the road.”

Scott has been playing golf since age 6. She said she wanted to learn the game “after watching my father (Gene Scott) play for a while.”

Greg Brandt won a four-way playoff in the first flight. Brandt, Jesse Badget, Tom Barnhart and Justin Palmeri all shot 77. Ron DeJohn won the second flight with an 83 and Ron Vodenichar the third flight with an 87.

There were 149 golfers in the field.