William Edward MacNamara

Born Lahinch 1882, he went to Westward Ho in Devon to learn the art of clubmaking and greenkeeping upon his return in December 1899 he was appointed as professional to Lahinch a position he held until 1927. He lived with his sister Mary Kate in "Avondale", a guesthouse in the village's main street.

John and Tom McNamara were also professionals at Douglas/Cork and Lisadoonvarna/Limerick golf clubs, respectively. In 1910, according to Donal Hickey's, Queen of Them All (Killarney's centenary publication) Willie was engaged by the Earl of Kenmare on behalf of Killarney to "alter" their "course and extend it to 18 holes however it wasn't long afterwards that the approached Willie Park junior to suggest improvements which were carried out the following year.

William was probably more noted for his teaching and club making skills than his golf prowess but did qualify for the 1907 Open Championship at Hoylake but was one of the back markers in the field. Curiously however, he had acquired an avid interest in stocks and shares, which he dabbled in with some success according to Enda Glynn in the Lahinch Golf Club centenary book. He died in 1954.

MacNamara's wagers were the stuff of legend and some were recalled in the 'Blue Book'. One of how he holed out around Lahinch in 79 (two under bogey) with just a putter to win the bet that he couldn't break one hundred. A feat he appears to have nearly repeated in 1909 when he scored an 81 with only a putter in his "bag". Another by beating a 12 handicapper with just one hand and one club. How he drove (cherry-picked) the ball off a ladies watch 220 yards without damaging the glass.

In 1910 MacNamara designed a further nine holes on the Killarney Golf Course and in 1911 it is noted that Willie MacNamara was engaged by Lord Kenmare to tutor the yourger members of his family.

In 1927 not long before Dr. Alistair MacKenzie set out his blueprint for the redesign of the Lahinch golf course the committee had decided to "dispense" with MacNamara's services. It appears the committee didn't accept his explanation of why certain visitors were playing the golf course without paying green fees.