John Klinchock never thought he would leave Ligonier Valley Country Club.

He was the head golf professional for 22 years, and his family was enjoying life in the eastern Westmoreland County borough.

But things changed in November.

Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown was looking head golf professional and hired Klinchock.

“I never thought I’d leave, but this is a different opportunity,” said Klinchock who graduated from Mt. Pleasant in 1984 and IUP in 1989. “I’m leaving a lot of great friends at Ligonier.”

Klinchock, 53, previously worked at Mt. Odin in Greensburg, Green Oaks in Verona and Mannitto in New Alexandria.

“Sunnehanna is a great community club,” Klinchock said. “I’m looking forward to the Sunnehanna Amateur, which is scheduled for June. We’ll be making a decision shortly on if we’re going to hold it this year.

“It’s a special tournament. We’ve had 39 golfers that played here combined 90 major wins. The clubhouse tends to be a museum.”

One thing Klinchock has been doing during the pandemic is make short videos with golf tips and sharing them with the membership via Twitter and Facebook.

Putting practice—with your eyes pic.twitter.com/DumJmbQtZY

— John Klinchock(@JohnKlinchock) April 23, 2020

“It’s just something to keep the membership engaged,” Klinchock said.

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