Skylar Friedman, a 17-year-old golfer from Long Island, recently achieved a significant milestone—he hit a hole-in-one and raised $700,000 for the hospital that saved his life when he was just a toddler.
“They saved me, so it’s my duty to pay them back,” he expressed. Friedman is now looking to expand his impact by inviting fellow golfers to join a nationwide putting contest at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he underwent life-saving lung surgery at just five months old.
Friedman has initiated the “100 Putt Challenge,” a fundraising concept that encourages golfers across the country to sink as many six-foot putts as they can, earning different amounts of money for each successful putt.
“Anyone can take part, whether on a golf course or even in your living room,” he noted, reflecting on how simple yet effective the challenge is.
“It’s really meaningful,” said Friedman, who has been on the varsity golf team at Portledge School since seventh grade. He explained how someone could easily raise a significant amount if, say, they made 80 putts at $2 each—$160 just like that.
His aspirations go beyond just golfing; he aims to study mechanical engineering someday. Recently, he’s set his sights on raising $250,000, and so far, he has garnered over $66,000. In a remarkable feat, he has contributed $700,000 to the hospital over the past seven years.
Unexpected Challenges
Before Friedman was born, doctors discovered an abnormal mass in his lung, which posed serious health risks. The ultrasound was meant to be a routine check, but it turned into a critical situation.
Due to the rarity of the condition, local doctors were not familiar with it, so his family traveled to Philadelphia for successful surgery, where doctors removed the affected part of his lung. Since then, he has been thriving.
While Friedman doesn’t recall the intensity of his early medical ordeal, he does feel the warmth and kindness of the hospital staff during his ongoing visits every six months for asthma management.
He describes the care he receives as incredibly supportive, and he’s now an active member of the hospital’s youth advisory committee, even speaking on patient care.
Feeling the urge to give back more, Friedman teamed up with his golf coach, Adam Laird, about seven years ago. They combined their love for the game with a mission to help others.
Laird said that he didn’t initially know about Friedman’s health issues, but came to realize how selfless his student is. “He uses his success to uplift others,” he remarked.
They began with an intense golf marathon challenge, where Laird played for a full 24 hours, raising $17,000 in the process.
Their efforts evolved into more significant donations over time. Friedman also participated in a lengthy 100-hole mini-golf marathon, joking that his putter became more of a walking aid for him.
Last year, they launched a remote putting challenge to reach an even broader audience. Friedman was excited to learn that all his teammates from high school would join in the challenge next week.
“Currently, donations are coming in from about 12 states, with around 1,000 individual donors this year,” he shared. He also released a book titled “It Could Be Worse” earlier this year.
“When I give back, it feels purposeful. If my story resonates with even one person, then it’s worth it to me.”
