Chris Happ

Chris is currently the Assistant Golf Professional at Mission Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, Kan., where he directs an evolving junior golf program that mentors more than 150 junior golfers each season.

Before moving to the Kansas City area two years ago, Chris was a lead instructor for the award-winning junior golf program at Winnetka Golf Club on Chicago's North Shore, where the curriculum mentors close to 500 junior golfers each season.

Chris played college golf at the University of Missouri from 1998-2003 where he graduated with a degree from Mizzou's prestigious and world-renowned School of Journalism. Since turning professional in 2006, Chris has more than 15 tournament victories to his credit in two different PGA sections, including appearances in both the National Assistant Championship and the PGA Professional National Championship.

My teaching philosophy revolves around a true dedication to making sure the student can identify their own unique habits (both good and bad) and independently address those habits. In essence, my goal with every student I teach is to create a self-sufficient golfer who not only knows why their game and swing are the way they are, but who can feel confident making corrections on their own because of their knowledge of the simple laws and principles that govern the game of golf. My philosophy is driven by the fundamentals of the golf swing and is designed to address each student independently based on their own goals and needs.

• Mary M.

  “Hi Chris - I had my best round ever yesterday! The two corrections that made the biggest difference seem to be getting more on the front of my feet and stabilizing my right inner leg before I hit the ball. I played 9 holes and hit my longest drive ever and a 10-foot putt! The vast majority went in the air and sailed pretty well. Thank you for your patience, you are a wonderful instructor and I look forward to continuing working with you.”

• Phyllis T.

  “Congratulations for being named the best of the best of Illinois teaching pros by Golf Digest. It doesn't get any better than that (except maybe qualifying for the U.S. Open!). You must be very proud and pleased to receive this recognition which I assume means your dance card is now booked 24/7!”