CNN
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It was a bittersweet second when Mykhailo ‘Misha’ Golod stepped off the airplane at Orlando Worldwide Airport on Friday, March 11.
It marked the top of a marathon journey the 15-year-old and his mom Vita had undertaken to flee the warzone again in his homeland of Ukraine.
However his arrival within the US – whereas it assured his security – got here at a worth.
His mom would quickly return to Ukraine to be together with his dad, who needed to stay as a result of martial legislation, and his grandparents. Though Golod thinks his grandparents and mom will journey to the US, he’s uncertain when he’ll subsequent see his father, Oleg.
Though he appreciates his security, having the vast majority of his household again in Ukraine within the midst of Russia’s invasion of the nation has weighed closely on him.
“It’s very devastating, however fortunately, all of them have Wi-Fi and a supply of web, meals, water, and I can nonetheless speak to them and ensure they’re secure,” he informed CNN’s Jim Sciutto. “And I do know that after all the pieces is over, I’ll undoubtedly deliver them right here to be with me.”
Golod added: “My father will solely be capable of depart as soon as the martial legislation ends. And in any other case, he’ll have to remain in there and we’ll hope for the very best.”
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Golod and his household did what many different Ukrainians did and bunkered down in Kyiv with the hopes it will all be over quickly.
Golod informed CNN that he spent every week and a half within the Russian “bombardment” of Ukraine’s capital as a result of the “explosions weren’t that near our home.”
“However… the second we knew that the bombardment was in our city, we knew we needed to depart and get me out after which my mother and father would come again to get their mother and father out,” he defined.
And it was Golod’s ties to golf that supplied him a method into the US.
The 15-year-old is likely one of the greatest younger golfers in Ukraine and has participated in competitions around the globe.
Simply final 12 months, Golod turned the primary Ukrainian to compete in the USA Golf Affiliation’s (USGA) US Junior Novice, which befell on the Nation Membership of North Carolina final summer season.
After a grueling 5,000-mile journey, which started in a automotive and ended when he landed in Orlando, taking roughly 54 hours, it was a visa he had obtained from enjoying in a match within the US which helped him re-enter the nation.
And safely within the US, Golod condemned what is going on again in his homeland.
“One thing that’s taking place in Ukraine shouldn’t be taking place in the midst of Europe within the twenty first century,” he mentioned. “Youngsters are shedding their houses, they’re dying, they’re shedding their lives.
“And it’s devastating, and folks ought to know the reality as a result of there’s a variety of faux information going round. However in actuality, what’s taking place is the entire nation’s being destroyed. It’s not demilitarization or denationalization, it’s really being destroyed by (Vladimir) Putin, and it must be stopped.”
When he was nonetheless in Kyiv, Golod’s plight started to be circulated broadly on the web after an interview with Golf Digest highlighted his and his household’s dire state of affairs.
And the interview led to members of {the golfing} neighborhood galvanizing to attempt to assist his state of affairs.
Jim Nugent, board member on the American Junior Golf Affiliation, and golf teacher David Leadbetter started the method of offering assist.
Nugent informed CNN Sport that studying about Golod’s story “performed to my soul a bit of bit” which is why he and Leadbetter supplied their assist.
“And so I known as (Leadbetter) and we talked about it and he mentioned: ‘Effectively, we’ve bought to do one thing about this.’ And I mentioned: ‘What do you take into account?’ He mentioned: ‘We’ll get him out of Ukraine. We’ll get him into my academy in Orlando, Florida, and I’ll get him in class and he’ll start a brand new life,’” Nugent defined, saying at first he thought the plan was “a bit farfetched.”
And so, they set about doing what they might to assist Golod and his household with their journey.
Nugent explains that he hung out on the cellphone getting monetary commitments from the USGA and the Nation Membership of North Carolina to help his journey from Ukraine.
He additionally began a fundraising web page to permit folks to donate to Golod’s trigger. On the time of writing, the web page has nearly raised $35,000.
Seeing this outpouring of assist “means the world” to Golod, says Nugent.
“I don’t know that it’s truthful to say that we’ve saved a life, however actually the arc of his life has been modified without end extra,” Nugent defined to CNN Sport.
“For me, it’s simply reaffirmation of one thing that I believe is absolute. And that’s in occasions of want, this sport, this {golfing} neighborhood, as you simply referred to, at all times steps up; it at all times has, and it at all times will. And that is simply in my thoughts reaffirmation of that very absolute reality.”
Having arrived within the US, Golod spent his first few days acclimatizing, organizing a cellphone, checking account and different requirements for all times in another country.
His mom, Vita, helped with getting her son settled in earlier than touring again to be together with her husband just a few days later.
Leadbetter and his golf academy have offered lodging for Golod, with the younger golfer staying together with his assistant as he continues to adapt to life within the US.
Though he’s uncertain about his long-term future within the US, Golod says he’ll go to varsity within the nation after ending the ultimate years of highschool there.
And Nugent believes that Golod’s ability with a golf membership will assist him and his future within the US.
“Leadbetter has seen him swing and says this child has actual potential,” he defined. “And so I believe the purpose goes to be to attempt to use his skill to hopefully go to varsity in America and play golf. I don’t know if meaning a big-time school college or in case you’re speaking one thing smaller or extra modest.
“However he does seem to have sufficient ability to earn some type of monetary assist, monetary scholarship for an American school. And so, I believe that’s going to be the purpose.”
Golod’s life has been turned the wrong way up together with his transfer the world over.
However makes an attempt are being made to make his time within the US as fulfilling as attainable given the state of affairs.
After the PGA Tour examine Golod’s story, they organized for the younger golfer to journey to the Gamers Championship – one in all its marquee occasions – for the ultimate day of play on Monday, March 14.
Throughout his time on the occasion, Golod met among the sport’s greatest gamers, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and even managed to stroll with some teams contained in the ropes, providing him an unimpeded view of the best stage of golf.
Golod described it as “the very best day of his life.”
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Nevertheless it didn’t cease there. Nugent defined that Golod was lent a set of golf golf equipment – as a result of “his nonetheless haven’t arrived,” in response to Nugent – and really performed the well-known TPC Sawgrass course.
Going via what he has is unimaginable for many, and whereas he’s secure, his household is rarely removed from his ideas.
“I’m very grateful for everybody that contributed to me being right here and it’s nice that I can proceed to pursue my targets academically and athletically. However on the similar time, it’s very, very nerve-wracking having my complete household again in Ukraine.”
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