Born and Raised on the Island of Maui, this born-to-be Golf Coach started his golf journey as a Maui Junior Golfer, along with enjoying the many other land and sea activities Maui has to offer. Highlighted by winning the 2006 HHSAA Golf Team State Championship for Baldwin High School, Chris’ junior career was blessed with instruction by Maui’s PGA Teaching Professionals as he learned from multiple instructors across the island. He later competed at the University of Hawaii at Hilo for three years, where the team was ranked as high as 4th in the nation for Division II during the 2008-2009 season.
While attending the school, Chris tried walking on to the Santa Clara University, Division I, golf team, but didnʻt make the cut, so he decided to return home back to the Islands for school. “Playing Golf at University of Hawaii at Hilo for three years, was the highlight of my golf career so far. Being a part of a team of like minded men, competing at the highest level year round, was something Iʻll always remember.” Chris said. The Vulcans were ranked as high as 4th in the nation for Division II during the 2008-2009 season, while Chris played his first year, qualifying as the 5 man on the squad.
More About Chris
After completing his PGA Class-A in 2016, he annually continues his golf education through the Titleist Performance Institute and other educational seminars and classes. He is one of Mauiʻs first TPI Certified Golf Professionals to put golfers a through physical screen and teach the Body-Swing Connection. Chris’ golf knowledge is bolstered by additional certifications in Golf 3, Junior Development 3, and Fitness 2. In addition, Coach Armanini is a US Kids Certified Coach and was the Head Coach for the Maui Preparatory Academy (MPA) from the 2018 to 2022 season. For context, MPA has a student high school population averaging 80 students/year. The High School Program grew from 9 boys, and 4 girls in ʻ17/ʻ18, to 19 Boys and 9 Girls in the ʻ22/ʻ23 season. Armanini led the ʻ21/22 Boyʻs Team to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) 2022 Golf State Championship, winning by 38 strokes, and with 4 of the 5 golfers medaling in the Top 15. Armanini taught at the Kapalua Golf Academy from 2017-2019, and was honored with the 2019 Aloha Section Youth Development Leader Award. In 2020, he was presented with an opportunity to move over to Ka’anapali Golf Courses and start the golf instruction program from scratch. Knowing about Kā’anapali’s stellar reputation for junior, local and visitor play, and community involvement, it was an easy transition 15 minutes down the West Maui coast. “I look forward to continuing my involvement with Maui’s junior golf community, the Kama’aina (local), and the visitors to Maui and Ka’anapali Golf Courses. It has been a long time dream of mine to build a Golf Academy, and am honored to be in this position to help golfers of all skill levels, locally and from all around the world.”
2022 PGA Junior League Game Changer Award; Largest Program in State (89 Golfers)
2022 HHSAA State Champions (Head Coach)
2019 Aloha Section PGA Junior Development Leader
2018-2022 Aloha Section PGA Teaching of the Year Award – Nominee
2008 – 2011 Collegiate Golfer at University Hawaii-Hilo
2006 HHSAA Boy’s Golf Team Champions (Player)
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