Asher Fried, 77, a longtime member and co-founder of the Metropolitan Hickory Society and a member of the SoHG, passed away on Aug. 3, 2025, from a Glioblastoma brain tumor and other health issues.
“Asher was an original member of the Metropolitan Hickory Society and a fixture at all of our gatherings,” said MHS co-founder Mike Policano. “His passion for hickory golf carried him far and wide – across New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida… and even to the birthplace of the game at St. Andrews in Scotland. Wherever there was a hickory event, Asher brought his love of the game, his sense of history and his ever-present good cheer.
“But more than that, Asher was a true mensch. He was generous in both victory and defeat, and always ready with a kind word or a helping hand. He embodied the spirit of camaraderie that makes our game so special. He will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. His legacy lives on in every smooth swing, every vintage club, and every smile shared on the fairway. May his memory be a blessing.”
Brian Schuman, the principle co-founder of the MHS said that “Asher loved hickory golf. He loved being with us at all the events. Along with Mike and Tim he was one of the original members of the Metropolitan Hickory Society and loved every minute of it. He traveled down to Florida with Susan for, along with Mike Policano, Tim Alpaugh and others. He would attend the Florida hickory swing invitational events that we ran in Miami and West Palm Beach, and he came to Scotland for the World Hickory Open in which we had many, many laughs and memorable times on and off the course. Asher was a very kind soul and if he said you were his friend he really meant it. I will personally miss him very much and I know the MHS will as well.”
Services for Mr. Fried took place on Aug. 5 in Woodland Park, N.J.
Asher Fried
A photo from the Metropolitan Hickory Society’s 2023 “Steam Shovel” Tournament at Hackensack Golf Club. From left: Tom Sullivan, Tim Alpaugh, Ron Perlman, and Asher Fried.
A visit to Scotland. Pictured on the Swilcan Bridge at the Old Course in St. Andrews in 2015, are, from left, Brian Schuman, Deal Hudson, and Asher Fried.
Asher Fried and good friend Brian Schuman.
Asher Fried, second from left, with a hickory group at the Miami Biltmore during a Florida Hickory Swing.
Asher Fried, second from right, at a Long Island Hickory Open.
Asher Fried, third from left, with the team at the World Hickory Open in the mid 20-teens.