Jamie McNair
Men's Golf (1988-1990)
Two-time All-Conference, All-Region and NJCAA National Qualifier
Division I Golf Scholarship to Illinois State University
Involved with golf course construction and multi-million dollar building projects the last two decades
We all have our share of ups and downs, and encounter trials and tribulations. For anyone who has ever picked up a club, there are more than a fair share of them on a golf course. But it is how you react and deal with them that often determines the difference between success and failure, whether on a golf course or in life in general.
Jamie McNair learned this lesson first hand from former Waubonsee coach Bill Prince. “He taught us not to let a bad shot or hole ruin your entire round. Don’t let frustration get the best of you,” states McNair. “With Coach Prince it was not just about the mechanics of your swing, he taught us how to compete and work together as a team,” recalls McNair. “I feel he was a better coach than the two division one guys I played for.”
McNair graduated from Oswego High School in 1987 where he qualified individually for the Illinois State High School Golf Tournament his junior and senior years. He went to Southern Illinois University on a golf scholarship, but he was ‘redshirted’ and did not play his first year for the Salukis. McNair returned home and Prince persuaded him to compete for the Chiefs instead, becoming the first student-athlete at Waubonsee to ever receive an athletic scholarship. McNair proceeded to earn All-Skyway Conference honors in both 1988 and 1989, leading the Chiefs to the conference title both years. As a freshman he placed third at the Region IV Tournament to qualify for the NJCAA Nationals, back when all golfers were in one division. The next year he finished seventh to once again earn All-Region status and advance to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament.
After Waubonsee McNair moved on to Illinois State University on a golf scholarship, and helped the Cardinals’ team advance to the NCAA Sectionals. He graduated from ISU in 1992 with a Business degree in Sports and Recreational Management. McNair immediately went to work for Wadsworth Golf, helping build golf courses all over the country for more than a decade. In 2003 stepped away from the golf industry and went to work as Vice-President for Rodman Excavation. Then in 2010 he helped start RPM xConstruction LLC, where he is currently the Vice-President of Operations and Safety.
McNair and his wife Lara reside in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Allen with their 10-year old son Reece. He still occasionally tees up a golf ball from time to time in the Texas heat, but he never lets the challenge of the game make him sweat. A lesson he no doubt learned at Waubonsee.