2027 PGA of America • Patriot Award Finalist

Barry Friedman

PGA Master Professional

Commitment. Leadership. Impact.

More than numbers. More than golf. Every class, every mile, and every hour represents an opportunity to use the game of golf to serve those who served us.

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★ PGA HOPE

The Mission

In 2021, Barry Friedman made a commitment that would change hundreds of lives. Recognizing that 22 veterans commit suicide daily, he saw PGA HOPE’s mission — using golf as therapy — as essential. He became not just a participant, but a leader.

PGA HOPE Certificate of Completion - Barry Friedman

More Trainings Than Anyone

Barry has completed PGA HOPE certification more times than any other PGA Member in the Northern Ohio Section — attending all 10 training sessions offered, traveling 788 miles total to do so.

The Secretary’s Cup

Barry served as Lead Professional for the Northern Ohio PGA Section at the 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, NC — the FIRST TIME a Northern Ohio team had ever participated in this national event. They were described as one of the most talked-about and admired groups at the event.

HOPE 4 Heroes

A proud champion of the HOPE 4 Heroes initiative in Northern Ohio — raising awareness, driving fundraising efforts, and personally donating $330 to further the mission of getting golf into the hands of those who served.

100th Class Milestone

Barry taught his 100th PGA HOPE class — a milestone achieved by driving 10+ hours round trip to make it happen. No shortcuts. Just an unwavering commitment to the veterans who count on him every week.

◆ Programs Barry Created

Building a Continuum of HOPE

Barry didn’t stop at teaching. He asked one question — “What comes next?” — and built an entire ecosystem of programs for graduates.

ADVANCED HOPE

Next Level

An advanced on-course development program that helps PGA HOPE graduates continue improving their skills, course management, confidence and competitive mindset.

HOPE 9

Golf League

A nine-hole golf league created exclusively for PGA HOPE graduates to keep Veterans playing, competing and connected through the game.

HOPE Clubhouse

Community

A monthly Veteran-led gathering that provides PGA HOPE graduates a consistent place for camaraderie, conversation, mentorship and connection.

HOPE Wingman Program

Mentorship

A peer mentorship initiative that empowers PGA HOPE graduates to return as Wingmen, supporting and encouraging Veterans currently participating in PGA HOPE.

Winter of HOPE

Year-Round

A seasonal program that keeps PGA HOPE graduates engaged throughout the winter through complimentary simulator golf, instruction and play opportunities.

✞ Folds of Honor

A Second Mission

In 2019, Barry heard a young woman describe how Folds of Honor enabled her to attend college after losing her father in service. He hasn’t stopped since.

Board Member

Northern Ohio Chapter of Folds of Honor since 2022 — bringing leadership and advocacy to the mission of educational scholarships for fallen heroes’ families.

HERO100 Golf Marathon — Operation UNITY

The only golf professional in Ohio to participate in the HERO100 Golf Marathon — Operation UNITY’s Golf Marathon in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Played 100+ holes in a single day each year to support Folds of Honor, with a total of $15,950 personally raised.

13-Folds 4-Man Scramble

Negotiated full course donation — no green fees, no cart fees, no F&B charges. Raised approximately $25,000 total across the event’s history.

Patriot Golf Days

Most active PGA Member in Northern Ohio Section. Sold Folds of Honor merchandise, donated 100% of proceeds. $1,000+ raised each of the last two years.

Top Performer

Honored by Folds of Honor as Top Performer in 2023 (for 2022 efforts) and again in 2026 (for 2025 efforts) — recognized nationally for sustained impact.

Folds of Honor Friday

Staff dresses in patriotic colors every Friday. Traveled to the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village (2024, 2025, 2026) for Folds of Honor Friday on the PGA Tour. Spent time with Jack Nicklaus.

$20,870Single Event Record

$7,500Operation Unity 2025

2xTop Performer Award

◆ Additional Initiatives

Beyond the Scorecard

From custom challenge coins to free rounds, Barry’s commitment to veterans extends to every corner of his professional life.

Eagles and Honor

Custom challenge coin — personalized by branch of service — given to every veteran and active-duty military member who plays Valley of the Eagles during the season.

Military Monday

Free round of golf every Monday for 17 weeks (May through August) to a randomly selected veteran or active-duty member. No strings attached. Just gratitude.

Mulligans For HOPE

Weekend initiative on the first tee: golfers donate to PGA HOPE if they take a mulligan. Raised $2,000 in 2024 — then matched with $2,000 more in 2025. Turning a golf habit into hope.

Veterans Service Organizations

Member: Sons of The American Legion Post 211. Life Member: Sons of AMVETS Post 55. Life Member: VFW Auxiliary Post 7035. A tribute to his grandfather’s legacy.

Veterans Day

Every Veterans Day, Barry opens Valley of the Eagles to all veterans — complimentary golf, simulator time, and lunch. No strings attached. Just gratitude for those who served.

Barry Friedman 2023 & 2026 PGA Patriot Award

2023 & 2026 N. Ohio PGA Patriot Award Winner

The only two-time winner of the Northern Ohio PGA Patriot Award — recognized in both 2023 and 2026 for an unmatched commitment to serving veterans through the game of golf.

◆ Coming Soon

Barry Friedman is taking an active role in developing and fundraising for the Great Lakes Valor Cup — a first-of-its-kind PGA HOPE competition pitting 12 Northern Ohio veterans against 12 Michigan veterans in a Ryder Cup-style event that celebrates the healing power of golf and the unbreakable spirit of those who served.

Visit GreatLakesValorCup.com

Two missions, one heart. On one side, PGA HOPE: using golf as a tool to empower and heal our Veterans and Active Duty Military. On the other, Folds of Honor: providing educational scholarships to the families of our nation’s heroes. Both united by a common purpose — honoring those who have given so much for our freedom.

Barry Friedman exemplifies everything the PGA Patriot Award was designed to honor.

Bernard Eugene Aldrich — United States Navy, World War II

Everything Barry does in support of veterans, military families and those who have served is rooted in a desire to honor the legacy of his grandfather, Bernard Eugene Aldrich, a proud United States Navy veteran of World War II. His grandfather’s love of country and pride in his service left a lasting impression on Barry and continues to inspire his commitment to giving back through the game of golf.

For Barry, this work is deeply personal. It is his way of saying thank you, carrying his grandfather’s legacy forward and striving every day to make him proud.

His service helped inspire a legacy. Barry’s mission is to honor it.

Barry Friedman

By the Numbers

The Mission

A Life Dedicated to Service

Building a Continuum of HOPE

A Second Mission

Beyond the Scorecard

Eagle