Playmaker: Mac McClear

PHOTO: Stephen Mally Iowa’s Mac McClear during the second round of The Calusa Cup at Calusa Pines Golf Club in Naples, Florida on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Clinging to a one stroke lead heading into the final nine holes of the 2021 Big Ten Championships, Mac McClear (23BBA) knew he needed to close strong to claim his first conference title. Two birdies on the inward nine holes led to a runaway victory—one he still thinks about as an Iowa graduate.

“That was the biggest tournament I had won at the time,” says McClear. “That was early on in my career. We ended up losing the team race to Illinois by one stroke, but it was an amazing experience.”

McClear recently completed his career at Iowa as one of the most accomplished golfers in Hawkeye history. After claiming outright medalist honors in 2021, he was co-medalist at the 2023 championships—becoming the first Iowa men’s golfer to ever win multiple league titles. McClear also has six tournament wins—tying for most in men’s program history with Lonnie Nielsen (76BBA).

“In the modern era, say the last 40-plus years, only five people have won multiple Big Ten championships,” says Tyler Stith (02BBA), Iowa head men’s golf coach. “Mac is just a relentless worker. He’s got tons of confidence in himself, and he’s never content.”

McClear has rewritten the Hawkeye record books all without wearing a glove—used by many golfers to improve their grip. “My dad taught me the game, and he didn’t use a glove,” says the Hinsdale, Illinois, native. “By the time I got older, I really liked the feel without a glove. It also helps that my hands don’t sweat, so I don’t have a grip problem without a glove.”

With that unorthodox approach, McClear began the spring season in position to be invited to PGA Tour University—a program designed to provide collegiate golfers with professional playing opportunities. But, as any golfer will tell you, the game is always a work in progress.

“I’ve been struggling with ball striking a little bit as of late, so I’m just trying to get that back,” says McClear. “I’ve been working with golf instructor Jeff Schmid (90BBA), and he’s taught me a lot and is helping me get back to the foundations.”

This summer, McClear hopes to qualify for one of the professional developmental tours, as well as play in some local events throughout the Midwest. Whatever happens for McClear, he can’t imagine life without golf.

“I love golf,” says McClear, who graduated with a finance degree and leadership certificate. “I know that I want to be involved in the game—in some way, shape, or form—for the rest of my life.”