'Pro's pro' dedicated life to golf

When John Goettlicher retired, he received a farewell note from golf legend Arnold Palmer.

“The game has certainly been enriched by your presence, and I salute you, my friend,” Palmer wrote.

Mr. Goettlicher spent 67 years as a golf professional, earning the admiration of others working in the industry. He was the longest-serving professional in the Tri-State PGA, which encompasses Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio.

“John was what you’d call a pro’s pro,” said Joe Shorto, a local golf professional who learned the ropes from Mr. Goettlicher.

John E. Goettlicher of Greensburg died Saturday, March 23, 2019. He was 87.

He was born Jan. 15, 1932, in Johnstown to John H. and Frederike (Holler) Goettlicher.

Mr. Goettlicher started his golf career as a child, doing odd jobs at Berkley Hills Golf Course.

He and his wife, Barbara, were high school sweethearts. He played football for Westmont High School; she was a cheerleader — for a rival school.

They were married 67 years.

“We just had a very wonderful life,” she said. “We met so many people, from all walks of life.”

Mr. Goettlicher was a member of the Tri-State PGA Hall of Fame and the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame. He was the former president and board member of the Tri-State PGA.

He played with pros, celebrities and billionaires, and treated them with the same interest and respect he’d show anyone else.

“He treated those people just like he treated somebody with no money,” said Mr. Goettlicher’s son, John Goettlicher. “We’d go out to dinner, and he’d want to know about the waiter or waitress, their lives.”

Over his career, Mr. Goettlicher worked as golf pro at Berkley Hills Golf Course and Sunnehanna Country Club, both in Johnstown, and Rolling Rock Club in Ligonier.

When he retired, he told his wife he had as much enthusiasm for the sport as the day he started.

“He just gave so much to the game,” she said.

Since summer is peak golf season, Mr. Goettlicher would always take his family on winter vacations. They were a family of avid skiers and went to Colorado 39 winters in a row.

His friends and family described him as gentle, outgoing and optimistic.

“I do not know of anybody who disliked John, and I don’t know of John disliking anybody,” Shorto said.

He worked long hours, but always made time for his family.

“He was always there for us, even though he had a demanding job,” his son said.

Mr. Goettlicher is survived by his wife, Barbara, children Diane Goettlicher and John Goettlicher, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial Mass and celebration will be held at 11 a.m. April 26 at St. Clement Church in Johnstown. Kepple-Graft Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.