Chhim takes top post at historic Kansas City Country Club
By Ken MacLeod
Southern Hills Country Club assistant golf professional Cameron Chhim has accepted the head golf professional position at historic Kansas City Country Club, the oldest golf course in Kansas City and third oldest west of the Mississippi River, having been founded in 1896.
It’s a remarkable step up for Chhim, who came to Southern Hills in 2021 right after graduation from the Professional Golf Management program at Mississippi State and is just 27. He and his wife Bri, who serves as both pro shop administrator and merchandizer at Southern Hills, both served internships at there before they were hired permanently and that’s where they met.
Chhim is also one of three of Director of Golf Cary’s Cozby’s assistants to land plum jobs this fall. Cory Leffler, 30, recently became the head professional at Hickory Hills Country Club in Springfield, Mo. Dylan Jackson, 34, has accepted a post as senior professional at Vaquero Golf Club in Westlake, Texas.
Chhim quickly made his mark in the South Central Section as one of the top young players, twice winning Section Player of the Year and qualifying for the PGA Professional Championship three times. But it’s unlikely that had much to do with his selection at Kansas City CC. Rather it’s the culture of service that all Southern Hills employees follow from Cozby on down.
“When I came here Cary was just looking for a face to fog up a mirror,” Chhim said. “Working for Coz, you get to watch a Hall of Famer every day and it’s the best training you could ask for. It’s not the details of how you set up the range, here it’s why you do what you do. Making sure that every interaction has a life and breath of its own,. And that can be applied everywhere.”
“Someone on their search committee said hiring a 27-year-old assistant probably wasn’t high on their bingo card,” Cozby said. “But Cameron conducts himself as a professional all the time. He’s adored here by the members for all the little things he does, how friendly and professional he is. He’s a good player, very good instructor, great at operations. He wears all the hats and just a complete golf professional. Kansas City Country Club is fortunate to have him and he can be there a long time.”
Kansas City CC, an A.W. Tillinghast design, has been closed since 2024 for an extensive renovation of both the course and racquet facilities. The golf course renovation is led by Andrew Green, also the architect of the recent renovation of Karsten Creek in Stillwater. It will not reopen until June of 2026, giving Chhim time to know his way around.
His most famous member will be Tom Watson, who learned the game there from former legendary head pro Stan Thirsk (pro from 1961-1992). Watson still comes by the club about once a month, Chhim said.
Chhim replaces Andy Fisher, who recently accepted a position as director of golf at Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.