Aiken event honors ex-club owner

The Aiken Golf Club will honor former owner and longtime pro Jim McNair Sr. with a tournament this weekend.

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The McNair Cup is a 36-hole tournament with a best-ball format. It is open to members of the club and their guests.

"We've been talking about having the McNair Cup in his honor," said Lorraine Morgan, golf shop manager. "We decided this year was the time to do it."

McNair, who died in December 2001, purchased Aiken Municipal Golf Course in 1959 and renamed it Highland Park Country Club. He taught several generations of golfers in Aiken how to play the game, and he was known for his friendly demeanor.

Morgan said the tournament committee has invited the McNair family -- which includes his widow, Ellyn, and four children and several grandchildren -- to participate in the weekend's activities.

McNair's son, Jim Jr., now runs the golf course. He renamed it The Aiken Golf Club after leading the course through extensive renovations.

The elder McNair gave up a chance to turn pro and instead became a club professional. His golf exploits, though, were impressive from an early age.

He made his first hole-in-one at the age of 13. The New York Times recorded him as the youngest golfer to ever achieve the feat at that time.

McNair played for Duke University and led the team to a Southern Conference championship in 1947. Although his team featured future Masters winner Art Wall Jr. and Mike Souchak, who became an accomplished pro, McNair was the No. 1 player and was undefeated in his college career.

McNair set a course record at Aiken Municipal Golf Course in 1947 with a 12-under 58, a mark that still stands. A two-time winner of the Carolinas Amateur Championship, he was inducted into the South Carolina Golf Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Aiken County Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

For more information on the tournament, call (803) 649-6029.