Reed On Sports, by Jeffrey Reed
Steve Fryer: Inspiring On, Off The Links
July 25, 2014
It’s impossible to determine whether art or golf is Steve Fryer’s biggest passion. For the 45-year-old employee of Westminster Trails Golf Club in London, the two are inseparable.
However, one thing is certain: Fryer continues to inspire others – not only with his artistic talents and golf skills, but with his life story.
Whether he’s grooving his home-made swing on the range at Westminster Trails, or working his magic in acrylic paint or charcoal, Fryer pours his heart and soul into his work. A golfer since age 13, and an artist for 30 years, Fryer is much more than a survivor. A former technical illustrator who learned the trade from his father, Pete – also an avid golfer – Fryer says his love of art and his passion for golf help him live with mental illness.
And Fryer hopes his story continues to inspire others to pursue their dreams.
“I live with a severe anxiety order, ADHD, and depression,” said Fryer. “But when I look at a blank piece of paper, all of a sudden I turn that energy into a positive. That’s how both my art work and my golf came about.”
Fryer first golfed as a youngster at the now-defunct 9-hole Talbot Park Golf Club in his hometown of St. Thomas, but gave up the game as work and family became priorities. At age 35, he decided to stare mental illness straight in the face and again took up the game.
Today, he’s one of the most amiable golf personalities in London – a smiling face behind the counter at Westminster Trails, where his drawings and paintings of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer have drawn much praise – as has his talent on the links.
“Future projects will include legends of the games – the real colourful characters, like Greg Norman, Tom Watson and Gary Player. And I plan to paint Bobby Jones,” said Fryer.
In fact, Fryer’s talent with the brush and pencil make him an in-demand portrait artist. One of his most recent projects was a charcoal collage depicting C. Alfred “Chief” Anderson, an American aviator of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American military pilots who fought in World War II. Formally, they formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces.
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators in the United States armed forces. Fryer’s presented his work to pilot Bill Shepard of the CAF Red Tail Squadron.
“I’ve always looked up to fighter pilots as super heroes. This was a proud moment for me,” said Fryer.
Although he doesn’t see himself as a hero, friends and family of Fryer look up to him as a fighter who doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit. He continues to hone his skills at the range – like Woods, always looking to better himself from tee to green. The same goes for his artistic talents.
“When I look at a blank canvas, it inspires me to create,” said Fryer of his other passion.
Whether he’s staring down a 30-foot putt, a blank piece of paper or life itself, Fryer is a winner.
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