Raymond McMaster hits the mark as dad and mentor
Published:Sunday | June 15, 2025 | 12:10 AMNyoka Manning - Sunday Gleaner Writer
As a proud dad of five and now the reigning Rangers Sporting Clay Champion, Raymond McMaster’s greatest legacy isn’t his trophies, but the love, discipline, and faith he has instilled in his family – especially in his youngest daughter, Aliana, who followed in his footsteps to become a champion in her own right.
At 54, McMaster wears many hats: entrepreneur, champion marksman, devoted husband to Wendy McMaster, and father to Lori Anne, 32; Travis, 31; Leanne, 27; Abigail, 21, and Aliana, 18. But it is the last title – father – that he holds most dear. His recent triumph at the 2025 Rangers Sporting Clay Championship, where he was crowned Overall Male Champion with 95 points, marked the culmination of a three-year pursuit filled with near misses. Yet what made the moment truly unforgettable was sharing the winner’s spotlight with Aliana, who captured both the Ladies Champion and Junior Champion titles with an impressive 90 points. Together, McMaster and Aliana made history as the first father-daughter duo to win top titles at the championship.
“First, I lost in a shoot-off. Then I came second. Last year, I missed the win by just one target,” McMaster recalled. “So to finally win this year – and have Aliana win, too – it’s incredibly special.
A businessman and passionate sport shooter, McMaster operates a network of Master Mac Food Stores and wholesale grocery outlets across the island under the brands Master Mac and C&M Meats Ltd. He is no stranger to hard work, but for all his business accomplishments, his greatest pride lies not in profit margins or titles but in being a present and intentional father.
For McMaster, fatherhood is a calling – one grounded in God, tradition, and intentional time together. “As a father, I instil in my children the importance of making God their rock, valuing family, and understanding the discipline it takes to succeed in life,” he shared. “Those are the things that matter most.”
His approach to parenting is rooted in presence. Despite the pace of business, McMaster makes time for daily rituals such as shared breakfasts and dinners. “That’s a tradition we stick to. I try not to let my professional life distract from the time I dedicate to my family. Being at the range for practice or competition feels like an extension of that – it’s really just time well spent with my family and friends.”
Shooting, he says, is just a hobby they enjoy as a family, one that teaches the values he holds dear: responsibility, focus, sportsmanship, and work ethic. Two of Aliana’s siblings also share her love for the sport, while the others have charted their own athletic paths. “It means a lot to see my kids succeed at whatever they choose, but more than anything, I want them to be happy, God-fearing, and good people. Life and success is a journey, and I try to teach them that every day.”
Aliana’s introduction to the range at the age of 11 was natural. Tagging along to her parents’ bird bush outings and shooting tournaments, she became fascinated with the rhythm of the sport and the calm confidence of her father.
“I used to spend so many weekends just spectating,” Aliana recalled. “Eventually, it got frustrating – we weren’t going to the beach or doing the usual things as much because shooting took up so much time. I remember thinking, ‘If you can’t beat them, join them.’ So I told my dad I wanted to start shooting, too, and I fell in love with the sport.”
Though Aliana’s demanding academic schedule at Campion College and preparing for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination often limit their training sessions, McMaster relishes any time spent with his daughter at the range. “We practise together but not as often as I’d like. Her schedule is demanding, but any time we get to shoot side by side is a blessing,” he said.
That consistency has left a lasting mark. “What I admire most about my dad is his intuition,” Aliana shared. “He always follows his gut. He knows when something’s wrong or right, and he’s always there – whether it’s to listen, encourage, or pray with us.”
One of McMaster’s fondest memories of his daughter’s shooting prowess came at the World English Sporting Clay Tournament in England. “She was so focused and composed during a shoot-off – shooting what I consider a world-class presentation – and won by three clear targets. That was a proud moment.”
McMaster sees his daughter growing into a strong, grounded young woman. “She’s focused, driven, and has a deep desire to excel not just in sport, but in life. Watching her grow has been one of my greatest joys.”
Through consistent guidance and an emphasis on faith, discipline, and family values, McMaster’s quiet influence as a father has helped shape each of his five children into individuals pursuing their own paths with humility and purpose. For McMaster, the true measure of success lies not in accolades, but in raising children who are grounded, driven, and prepared to walk their own paths with integrity.