Farmington’s McNamara named GM and director of golf at Keswick Hall

By Jerry Ratcliffe

After 24 years as the head PGA professional at Farmington Country Club, Rob McNamara has accepted the position of general manager and director of golf at Keswick Club.

This is major news in the Central Virginia golfing circles.

“We are beyond honored to have someone as universally respected and admired in the golf industry as Rob join us here at Keswick Hall, said Robert Hardie, who along with wife Molly, owns the resort. “His vast expertise in all aspects of golf operations will help us both continue to grow our reputation as one of the premier golf resort destinations and clubs in the U.S.”

McNamara’s resume is impressive as a player and instructor. He was named 2018 Professional of the Year for the Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA. He was named Merchandiser of the Year by MAPGA in both 2001 and 2008.

The Kentucky native won more than 75 tournaments throughout his golfing career, including the Virginia State Open at Willow Oaks in 1995, the MAPGA Section Championship in 1997, and the Southern Chapter title four times. He also competed in two U.S. Opens, and in fact, was the youngest player to qualify for the Open at that time. He was 17. He also competed in two USGA Amateur championships and two PGA of America Assistant Professional Championships, finishing as back-to-back runner-up.

McNamara won the Kentucky Junior Am in 1981 and was state high school champion in 1983. He was a three-time All-American and four-time All SEC selection while playing for Louisiana State University (LSU), where he was a teammate of longtime PGA Tour player David Toms. He was SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC Player of the Year.

In 2018, McNamara was inducted into the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame.

As head pro at Farmington since 1997, he was the 2000 Golf Digest “Virginia Teacher of the Year,” in recognition as one of the top golf instructors not only in the Commonwealth but around the U.S.

“It’s perfect timing having someone as impressive and revered as Rob join our team just as we ready to showcase the incredible results of our renovation to the world,” said John Trevenen, Keswick’s managing director. “Our golf and club operations will be in the trusted hands of one of the true experts and first-class gentlemen in the field.”

The elite luxury Mid-Atlantic resort, just outside of Charlottesvile, is presently in the final stages of a comprehensive hotel and amenities renovation headed by the Hardies, in conjunctionwith global design firm Hart Howerton. Keswick Hall is scheduled to open this summer and will showcase the integrity of the original structure and provide an even more luxurious and modern setting for its guests.

Among the eye-popping renovation is an increase in guest rooms from 48 to 80, a luxurious new world-class spa, dramatic new horizon pool and inspiring food and beverage outlets under the direction of acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who will oversee the property’s culinary operations.

McNamara will oversee the resort’s Pete Dye-designed course, Full Cry at Keswick Club, ranked No. 49 in Golfweek’s prestigious “Best Resort Courses” list for 2020 after debuting on the list in 2016. Full Cry’s layout is also ranked No. 4 in Golfweek’s 2020 list of “Best Courses You Can Play” in Virginia and was named one of Golf Digest’s “Best New Courses” in the U.S. shortly after opening in the fall of 2014.