Matt Kluck (California (Pa.)) enters his 10th year at the helm of the Washington & Jefferson men's and women's golf programs for the 2025-26 school year. Kluck has served on the Great Lakes Men's Golf Regional Advisory Committee.
Each W&J golf program finished as the runner-up at the 2024-25 Spring Championships. On the men's side, freshman standout and PAC Newcomer of the Year Thomas Margison and Alexander Robbins both finished 12th individually at the close of the fourth round. Megan Joyce led the W&J women for the second-straight season finishing in second, one stroke behind the first-place finisher. Both programs combined for seven All-PAC selections, five to the women and two earned by the men.
Both W&J golf programs recorded narrow runner-up finishes this past spring at the 2023-24 PAC Championships. The women's team came up a shot short while the men's team was three shots off the pace. Luke Lestini and Megan Joyce both finished as individual runner-ups, respectively.
A five-time PAC Golf Coach of the Year, Kluck guided the W&J men's golf team the PAC title and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022-23. Cade Patterson concluded NCAAs in a tie for ninth place. That is the best NCAA finish by a President or by any PAC golfer in history. Additionally, W&J claimed both PAC Newcomer of the Year awards, as Andrew Platt and Megan Joyce claimed the respective honors.
During the spring of 2022, the W&J men's and women's teams both earned runner-up team finishes at the annual PAC Championships. The men were led by Colin Robinson, who once again claimed medalist honors as the PAC individual champion. Kluck coached freshman Christina McGinnis to PAC Women's Golf Newcomer of the Year honors.
During the spring of 2021, Kluck led the W&J men to a runner-up finish at PAC Championships. Garrett Barilar claimed W&J's second straight PAC Championship MVP award after earning medalist honors. Emily Figliolia secured All-PAC Second Team honors for a second straight year for the women's team.
W&J led the W&J men to their third-straight PAC title in 2019-20. In addition, he was named PAC men's golf Coach of the Year laurels for a third straight season. Four Presidents earned All-PAC status, which included three players on the First Team. Freshman Colin Robinson was named both the Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year by the PAC. On the women's side, Alex Jakubow finished as a First Team All-PAC performer for a second straight season.
During the 2018-19 season, Kluck led the W&J men to their 19th conference championship and eighth NCAA Championship appearance. Jake Darr carded a three-round total of 228 to finish as the event's runner-up. Darr finished just two shots out of first place. Meanwhile, Garrett Barilar was just a stroke behind Darr, as the sophomore finished third with a three-round total of 229.
Kluck helped guide the men's golf team to their 18th league title and seventh NCAA Championship appearance in 2017-18. Jake Darr earned 18-hole medalist honors with a one-over par 73 at the Spring Championships. At the NCAA Championships, the Presidents tied for 38th as a team.
Kluck led the women’s golf team to their ninth Presidents' Athletic Conference championship in 2016, which qualified them for the NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship. In doing so, Kluck earned PAC Coach of the Year honors, while overseeing All-Pac First Team golfers Marissa Sudar, Kaitlyn Vogel and Jocelyn Sudar, who also took home the PAC Most Valuable Player Award.
On the men’s side, Kluck coached Bryce Egger to an All-PAC Honorable Mention and Evan Lestini to a spot on the All-PAC Second Team. Additionally, Lestini was named a Division III Srixon Golf All-America Scholar by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
An award-winning Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) Master Professional and Certified Teaching Professional, Kluck brings more than 35 years of professional service and dedication to providing an exceptional golf experience.
More recently, Kluck served as the owner and director of instruction at Matt Kluck Golf Instruction, as well as the head coach of the girl's golf team at Mt. Lebanon High School. As a teaching professional, Kluck has experience working with all age levels from juniors through adults. He is also at the forefront of the latest golf instruction technologies, along with video and computer analysis.
Kluck holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from California University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated from in 1979. After touring professionally from 1980-84 he moved his focus to the teaching and coaching aspect of golf.
Improving the golf game has been a lifelong mission, as he co-authored the book, "Golf's Missing Links: 101 Stealthy Ways to Improve Your Golf Game." While serving as the Head PGA Professional and Manager at Mt. Lebanon Golf Course from 1983-2007, Kluck managed all golf operations, services, course maintenance and staff.
In 2004 he became a PGA Master Professional, the PGA of America's highest designation, which showcases a PGA Certified Professional's continued expertise and experience in his or her specific career path through a proven track record of success and industry involvement.
Additionally, he has experience as an instructor at various PGA schools, conferences and clinics all over the east coast, from Cambridge, Mass., to Pinehurst, N.C., to Port St. Lucie, Fla., and has been named one of Golf Digest's "Best Teachers in the State" and Golf Magazine's "The Top Teachers." Three times he has been named the Tri-State section of the PGA's Teacher of the Year and was the 2002 Golf Professional of the Year from the same organization.
