Bill Frese Is Third St. Benedict's Prep Alumnus Named NJSGA President

Newly installed President William E. Frese of Montclair Golf Club is the third consecutive graduate of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark to assume the leadership role at the New Jersey State Golf Association.

He succeeds immediate past president Dan Meehan of Spring Brook Country Club and Frank O’Brien of Plainfield Country Club, both graduates of St. Benedict’s.

Frese, a resident of Maplewood, brings a wealth of golf and leadership experience to his position.

Frese served as vice president of the NJSGA the past two years under Dan Meehan and was secretary for one year before that.

He has also been active with the NJSGA Youth Foundation, which awards donations to worthy groups around the state. The former president of Rock Spring Club, which recently merged with Montclair Golf Club, has been a frequent competitor in NJSGA events.

Frese won 10 club championships and eight senior championships at Rock Spring. He also won the New Jersey State Seniors Golf Association Championship in 2007. He currently serves as vice president of that organization.

“I am very enthused about serving as NJSGA president. Under Dan Meehan, our Board identified a number of new initiatives and we hope to implement these in the near future,” Frese said. “We are committed to furthering our mission as ‘All Things Golf in New Jersey.’ 2018 promises to be an exciting year for the NJSGA.”

Frese is a graduate of Seton Hall Law School and recently retired as General Counsel — Litigation from Public Service Enterprise Group. He is a Certified Civic Trial Attorney who frequently appeared before the New Jersey Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals. During his legal career, Frese has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey State Bar Association, a New Jersey Delegate to the American Bar Association, president of the New Jersey Defense Association, and a member of the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners.

He is also active in providing legal services to people of limited financial needs. To this end, he has served on the Board of Trustees for the Volunteer Lawyers for Justice and the Legal ServicesFoundation of Essex County, and regularly takes on a variety of pro bono cases.

Frese is a graduate of Fairfield University and remains active with alumni activities and fundraising efforts for St. Benedict’s and Fairfield. He and wife Kathy have three daughters and nine grandchildren.

“Bill has a lifetime of golfing experience. He started playing at a young age and has always played at a very high level. He has a passion for the sport,” Meehan said. “Bill has great vision for the NJSGA’s mission to serve the New Jersey golf community. He is also a great family man.”