A GOLF caddy who moved to America to pursue his dream of working on the PGA Tour has died after being knocked off his bicycle by a suspected drink-driver.
Neil Fyfe, 29, who caddied for professional golfers including Luke Donald, Keegan Bradley, and Dustin Johnson as well as basketball star Michael Jordan, was killed on Friday while travelling home from his job at Sebonack Golf Club in New York.
Originally from Aberdeen, he was also a club caddy at the exclusive Bear's Club in Florida and would work for professional golfers who were practising at the course.
Members of The Bear's Club and Sebonack Golf Club are rallying together to pay the cost of his parents' flights to New York and to return Mr Fyfe's body to Scotland. It is believed that members of his family are arranging travel to America.
On social networking site Twitter, Mr Fyfe described himself as a Scottish caddy "trying to make the big time" and said he was "living his dream" and "loving life".
In one of his last posts, he wrote he had enjoyed "another day in paradise" and posted a picture of a sun-drenched golf course.
Bystanders attempted to perform CPR on Mr Fyfe after he was knocked from his bike by a 4x4 in the Hamptons area at 6.30pm on Friday while he attempted to cross a road.
He was taken to Southampton Hospital in New York, but died from his injuries.
Driver Jesse Steudte, of New York, was later charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol. The 21-year-old student's attorney entered a not-guilty plea during a court appearance on Saturday.
However, the prosecutor said Steudte had admitted to authorities that he had been drinking before the accident and he may yet face tougher charges. Police have appealed for witnesses to the crash.
Erik Hogan, caddy master at The Bear's, said: "News of Neil's death has come as a great shock to the club. He had been caddying at the club for two years now.
"He was a great young kid. Very upbeat and very positive, just loved his job, and also was very well respected by the members he caddied for.
"So everyone here at The Bear's Club, and I know where he worked at the Sebonack club has been saddened by the news."
Mr Fyfe, described as a "kind-hearted, hard-working caddy", was engaged and was due to marry his fiancee, who is believed to also be from Aberdeen, in October.
On Valentine's Day two years ago, he wrote on Facebook "long may our fairy tale in New York continue".
In February last year, Donald Trump expressed gratitude to Mr Fyfe over Twitter after he supported the tycoon's plans for a second course in Aberdeenshire, which he said would take the area "to the next level".
Frank Weatherwax, assistant caddy master at The Bear's Club, said that Jordan, who has a mansion at the club, would be "very upset" at Mr Fyfe's death. "Michael Jordan loves Neil," he added.
A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are aware of the death of a 29-year-old British national in New York on Friday May 2 and are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."
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