Death of Ayr Seafield Golf Club captain Billy Frew

Dec 3 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR Seafield Golf Club members are mourning the death of club captain Billy Frew, who died aged only 54.

Born on May 28, 1956, the only son of William and Mary Frew, Billy grew up in Crosshouse. His interests lay in the arts and upon leaving school, he became a freelance photographer for a local newspaper.

Billy then opened his own studio and became a member of the Master Photographers' Association and the British Institute of Professional Photographers.

He then trained at the BBC's Wood Norton Training School and in 1979 became a freelance cameraman. He entered the world of TV and news production and set up his own company, taking on projects for the BBC, ITN, STV, RTE, Ch5, Discovery USA, Ch 7(Aus), Sky, Setanta and the Princes Trust and many private contracts.

Billy was the media's 'first on the scene' at the Lockerbie disaster in 1998 and covered the first Gulf War in Iraq in 1991/92 and the recent G8 summit at Gleneagles. In addition to his media work, Billy also ran a successful company specialising in website design.

Billy cut down on his workload a few years ago and took up golf. He joined Ayr Seafield and was co-opted to the committee in March 2005 and undertook the creation of the club's successful website.

In February 2009, Billy agreed to assist the Ayrshire Dalmilling Action Group (ADAG), formed to fight South Ayrshire Council's decision to close Dalmilling golf course.

Billy attended many meetings with the group and dealt with press releases, created ADAG's website and produced their on-line petition. Billy's contribution was instrumental in ADAG achieving a successful outcome and the course was saved from closure in October 2009.

Sadly, however, Billy was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly afterwards and underwent substantial hospital treatment. Billy bore this with great fortitude and continued to play golf whenever possible.

Billy became Ayr Seafield vice-captain in March 2009 and captain in March 2010.

He continued to lead the club from the front during his illness and although latterly confined to a wheelchair, he attended the club's prizegiving on November 13 and received a standing ovation from the members upon leaving.

Billy passed away in Ayr Hospital on November 25 in the presence of his partner Jacqueline and his sons Martyn and Callum.

The funeral will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, December 8 at St. Marnock's Church, Kilmarnock and thereafter to Kilmarnock Cemetery.