Chris Billings

Whatever career we choose, most of us eventually have to leave our hometown to pursue our dream. For golf professionals the path is often the same. Eventually some are fortunate enough to return and work at home, but on rare occasions, some are fortunate enough to fulfill their dreams without ever having to leave. Chris Billings, head professional at The Lynx at Kingswood Park, in Fredericton, is one of the lucky ones.

Born and educated in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Chris received his introduction to golf, like most of us, caddying for his father. At the age of eleven he became a junior member at the Fredericton Golf and Curling Club.

“Back then, the juniors were inspired by former club professional, Andy Mabie and Mel Murray, who today continues as a favorite in provincial amateur events. They were certainly the best players around and we all wanted to be like them,” remembers Chris.
“Andy was very supportive of the Fredericton juniors and very influential in my decision to become a golf professional.”

Soon he was working at the pro shop and eventually became a CPGA assistant professional. He continued at Fredericton, when Tracy Hayden succeeded Mabie as professional, but eventually moved to Mactaquac Provincial Park Golf Course, not far away. Here, he completed his apprenticeship, under head professional Alan Howie, all the while completing a business degree, with a major in marketing.

”I learned so much from Alan about the business of golf,” remarks Billings, “ his guidance on golf shop management, teaching and most importantly how to best serve club members and guests, was a great education.”

When he was about 17, and working at the Fredericton Golf Club, Chris remembers the day that a new driver arrived in a shipment of merchandise for the pro shop. He liked the look and feel of it, so took it out to hit a ball off the thirteenth tee, now number one, just outside the pro shop. His tee shot flew toward the green on the 317 yard, par 4, finally coming to rest in the hole.
“I didn’t see it go in, but people at a wedding reception upstairs in the clubhouse, who had been watching, started yelling and screaming. In order for the hole-in-one to be legitimate, I decided to finish the round. I had someone follow me in a golf car, with my clubs, while I ran. I played the entire course in less than an hour, also recording an eagle 3 on a par five before I finished. That is perhaps the most enjoyable and memorable moment that I have ever had playing golf.”


Chris has been the head professional at The Links of Kingswood Park since it opened in the summer of 2001.

Consistent with the overall philosophy of the recreational offerings at Kingswood, young golfers are a major focus of the programs.

“The social aspect of golf is a tremendous learning experience for a junior golfer.
We stress to the 8, 9 and 10 year olds that they can get paired to play golf with a complete stranger and by the end of the round, may have a friend for life. This will happen many times over their golf career,” advises Billings, “how often does this happen in other sports ? Most kids that have enjoyed this opportunity will be successful in life”

“It is so rewarding to watch a young person learn and mature as they “grow up” at the golf course and know that you have made a positive influence in their development in both golf and in life. Nothing is better than to see a smile on their face and know that you helped them.”

Chris considers that his best asset is his teaching ability.

“I have built up a strong clientele over the years and have a lot of repeat students.

I am genuinely interested in their development and the results of their efforts while playing the game.”

Chris includes a “check up” with each lesson he teaches. This allows the student to come back for “a follow-up” to see how they are progressing, with the instruction they received in the lesson, and to answer questions they may have.

Along with instructing, Chris enjoys the daily interaction with people. He enjoys watching them learn and talking to them about their experiences on and off the course.
In the rapidly changing golf profession, he embraces the changing role of the golf professional and enjoys the new challenges of administration and marketing along with providing top quality instruction and service to the golfing public.

During the summer, he volunteers his services to as many charity golf events as his busy schedule permits.
“I want to help as much as I can, because I realize the important work that the charities do in our community.”

In the winter, he teaches a golf school for the Fredericton recreation department and some winters he instructs golf, as an activity, for the kinesiology department at UNB. A hockey fan, now that he has hung up his skates, Chris enjoys cheering for his teams in his off-season, as well as traveling south for a bit of sun and golf.

Some of Billing’s most satisfying moments have come in seeing and hearing the results of his students in tournament competition and friendly games.

“Receiving telephone calls or visits from someone you taught, who has just shot their best score and want to say thank you – that’s a powerful reward for a teacher. It sends a tingle up your spine when you hear that you have been a part of their success!”

Looking forward to being part of the team and successfully growing the golf operation at The Lynx at Kingswood Park, Chris is very pleased to be where he is.

“I enjoy my role here and have been very fortunate to have learned the game, completed my CPGA apprenticeship and now to be employed as a head professional, all within 30 miles of where I was born.”

Chris resides in Fredericton with his wife Angela and three year old daughter Kali.