George E. McNamara

George (Mac) E. McNamara, 73, of Downingtown, PA, passed away at his home on July 19, 2022, after a short illness.

He was born in Philadelphia, on August 30, 1948, son of the late George and Ann (Graziani) McNamara.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Nancy (Dascaloff).  He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Foley and nieces, Kristen, Jennifer and Nicole and nephews, Will and Tucker.

George’s love of golf started as a young boy at the Plymouth Country Club, where he learned to play golf as a caddy.  He began his career in golf at Chester Valley Golf Club as the assistant pro in 1966.  After that he was employed as an assistant at Cedarbrook Hill Country Club, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club, Cedarbrook Country Club and Aronimink Golf Club.  In 1974, George moved into the head professional/director of golf position at the Downingtown Inn & Golf Club.  While at Downingtown, he hosted the first four Philadelphia PGA Junior Golf Academies.

After twelve years at Downingtown, George moved across the Delaware state line to be the professional at the Brandywine Country Club where he stayed over twenty-five years.  In 2015, George left Brandywine to be part owner and managing partner of The Golf Zone Family Fun Center in Honey Brook, PA, where he embraced and coached Extraordinary Golf fueled by his association with Fred Shoemaker.  George’s first involvement in Philadelphia Section affairs started on the membership committee.  He was one of the first golf professionals to make computers an integral part of his golf shop.  In 1988, the Section formed a computer committee with George as the chairman.  The committee advised the Section officers and members on computer hardware and software.  He served as the Section treasurer for two years in the 1980s and then came back in the 1990s to serve as an officer again, first as vice president of section affairs for two years and then secretary for two years.  In 1997, the Section changed the terminology of the Section’s officers and George became the first to be elected to the office of vice president.  He then served two years as the Section’s 32nd president.  Over a period of 25 years, George served the Section as a member of almost every committee.  He represented the Section as a delegate to the national meeting three times.  In 1985, George built Mac’s Golf Center, a driving range and miniature golf course, which he operated for 14 years along with being a head professional at a private golf club.  Along with assisting the Section, George was active in raising funds for various charities through golf.  He was the Section’s “Merchandiser of the Year” three times.  In 1988, George became just the second Section member to become a “Master Professional”.  The subject of his thesis was “How to Build, Own and Operate a Golf Practice Range and Miniature Golf Course”.  The next year George was honored as the Philadelphia Section PGA “Professional of the Year”.  In 2012, George was inducted into the Philadelphia Section PGA Hall of Fame.

A Celebration of George’s Life will be held at 6:00 PM on Sunday, July 24th, at Penn Oaks Golf Club, 150 Penn Oaks Dr., West Chester, PA.  Visitors are encouraged to bring a favorite picture or memory of George to leave with the family after the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of George to PGA REACH or Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley. You may click on your chosen organization's name to make a donation.

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