Sean Knapp didn't find his golf game as early as most of his colleagues, but that hasn't stopped him from making a name for himself on the links.

A longtime member at St. Jude Golf Club in Chicora and a native of Oakmont, Knapp has won more tournaments as an amateur - 25 - than any other golfer in the history of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association.

Not bad for someone who didn't start taking golf seriously until he was 18.

"I was always good at football, baseball and basketball," said Knapp, a 1980 graduate of Plum High School, "so I thought I could be good at golf, too."

His thinking was correct.

Knapp has seven West Penn Amateur Championships to his credit. Only the late W.C. Fownes Jr. has more with eight.

Knapp saw his record string of six straight West Penn Amateur titles come to an end two weeks ago when he finished third at Nemacolin Country Club.

"In the West Penn amateur titles he has won, he's done it in different ways," said WPGA executive director Jeff Rivard. "He's won a few in which he jumped out to a big lead right from the start and he's won a few where he had to rally late.

"So he knows how to win in different situations," added Rivard. "He never gives up and the other competitors always make sure they know where he is."

Knapp is also a three-time champion of the Pittsburgh Open, which is now known as the Frank B. Fuhrer Invitational. It is regarded as the most prestigious golf event in Western Pennsylvania.

While still a force to be reckoned with, Knapp admits his current game isn't at the same level it was a few years ago.

"I've struggled a bit the last few years and would love to get back to being dominant," he said. "But if I don't accomplish one more thing on the golf course, I still feel I've had a great career.

"I spent three straight years ranked among the top 10 amateurs in the country," added Knapp. "The highest I got was fifth in 1999. That's probably my biggest accomplishment. I've been able to achieve a lot not just locally, but also nationally."

"My short game has always been the most consistent part of my play," said Knapp. "For anybody who is taking up the game, their short game is what they've really got to practice. It's such a big part of golf."

The most challenging aspect of golf for Knapp is not a tangible part of his game.

"Just deciding how much time I need to put into the game to stay successful, that's been the hardest part," he said. "There's other things I'd like to do, having a wife and two kids. But to stay competitive, you've got to keep working and sacrifice some things."

Knapp, 42, is a member of the Indiana (Pa.) University and Alle-Kiski halls of fame.

"The thing about me being in the IUP Hall of Fame, I golfed two years while I was there, but I wasn't that great. They put me in for what I did after I graduated.

"But, seriously, to be in two halls of fame, it's such an honor. Looking at the names of who has been inducted to the Alle-Kiski, it's like a Who's Who of sports legends. It's very humbling," he added.

Knapp and his wife Suzanne have two children: Kensey, 10, and Taylor, 4.

"I've lived a life that I wouldn't trade for anything," said Knapp. "And I couldn't have been successful if it wasn't for the support of my wife. She's been great."