
Sunnehanna Course
Sunnehanna Country Club


About this course
Sunnehanna Country Club, carved into the Allegheny Mountain foothills outside Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is a crucible of amateur golf β its challenging layout designed to test the mettle of future champions. The course, a classic parkland design, unfolds across rolling terrain, where strategic bunkering and subtly contoured greens place a premium on precision and thoughtful shot-making. Its fairways are wide but tree-lined, demanding accuracy off the tee without punishing slight misses. Originally designed by A.W. Tillinghast in 1923, Sunnehanna has undergone thoughtful renovations over the years, most notably by Ron Forse, preserving the integrity of Tillinghast's vision while subtly modernizing the course for the contemporary game. The club is best known for hosting the Sunnehanna Amateur, a prestigious event that has served as a proving ground for many of golf's biggest names before they turned professional. Sunnehanna maintains a strong regional reputation among avid golfers. The membership is known for its passionate support of amateur golf and a deep appreciation for the club's rich history. Post-round, members gather in the clubhouse, renowned for its unpretentious atmosphere and its signature clam chowder, a staple that has fueled countless rounds and lasting memories.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in PA
Quick facts
- Location
- Johnstown, PA, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1923
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- A .W. Tillinghast, William Flynn, Ron Forse, Ferdinand Garbin
- Par
- 70
- Length
- 6,868 yards
- Difficulty
- 75.8/133
- Course Vaults score
- 8.8
Getting there
The journey to Sunnehanna Country Club begins at Pittsburgh International Airport, roughly ninety minutes west through the rolling Allegheny highlands. The drive east traces the path of old industrial corridors before climbing into the wooded ridges above Johnstown, where the landscape softens into the kind of elevated, pastoral terrain that drew the club's founders to this hillside perch in 1921. The final approach winds through quiet residential streets before revealing the clubhouse - a stately Georgian Revival sentinel commanding sweeping views over the Conemaugh Valley, a fitting arrival to one of Pennsylvania's most storied and fiercely private golf sanctuaries.

FAQ
Common questions about Sunnehanna
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Sunnehanna has a Course Vaults score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 39 logged golfers.
Sunnehanna was designed by A .W. Tillinghast, William Flynn, Ron Forse, and Ferdinand Garbin.
Sunnehanna is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Sunnehanna is 70.
Sunnehanna plays 6,868 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Sunnehanna is 133.





