But his arrival within the US — whereas it assured his security — got here at a value.
His mom would quickly return to Ukraine to be along with his dad, who needed to stay because of martial regulation, and his grandparents. Although Golod thinks his grandparents and mom will journey to the US, he is not sure when he’ll subsequent see his father, Oleg.
Although 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 advised CNN’s Jim Sciutto. “And I do know that after all the things is over, I’ll positively carry them right here to be with me.”
Golod added: “My father will solely be capable to depart as soon as the martial regulation ends. And in any other case, he’ll have to remain in there and we’ll hope for the perfect.”
‘Bombardment’
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 might all be over quickly.
Golod advised CNN that he spent per week and a half within the Russian “bombardment” of Ukraine’s capital as a result of the “explosions weren’t that near our home.”
“But… 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 manner 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.
Just final yr, Golod turned the primary Ukrainian to compete within the United States Golf Association’s (USGA) US Junior Amateur, which passed off on the Country Club of North Carolina final summer time.
After a grueling 5,000-mile journey, which started in a automobile and ended when he landed in Orlando, taking roughly 54 hours, it was a visa he had obtained from taking part in in a event 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.
“Something that is taking place in Ukraine shouldn’t be taking place in the midst of Europe within the twenty first century,” he stated. “Kids are shedding their houses, they’re dying, they’re shedding their lives.
“And it is devastating, and folks ought to know the reality as a result of there’s loads of faux information going round. But in actuality, what’s taking place is the entire nation’s being destroyed. It’s not demilitarization or denationalization, it is truly being destroyed by (Vladimir) Putin, and it must be stopped.”
Worldwide recognition
When he was nonetheless in Kyiv, Golod’s plight started to be circulated extensively 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 try to assist his state of affairs.
Jim Nugent, board member on the American Junior Golf Association, and golf teacher David Leadbetter started the method of offering assist.
Nugent advised CNN Sport that studying about Golod’s story “performed to my soul a little bit bit” which is why he and Leadbetter supplied their assist.
“And so I known as (Leadbetter) and we talked about it and he stated: ‘Well, we have got to do one thing about this.’ And I stated: ‘What do you keep in mind?’ He stated: ‘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 telephone getting monetary commitments from the USGA and the Country Club of North Carolina to assist his journey from Ukraine.
He additionally began a fundraising web page to permit individuals to donate to Golod’s trigger. At the time of writing, the web page has virtually raised $35,000.
Seeing this outpouring of assist “means the world” to Golod, says Nugent.
“I do not know that it is honest to say that we have saved a life, however definitely the arc of his life has been modified eternally extra,” Nugent defined to CNN Sport.
“For me, it is simply reaffirmation of one thing that I believe is absolute. And that’s in occasions of want, this recreation, 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 truth.”
Having arrived within the US, Golod spent his first few days acclimatizing, organizing a telephone, checking account and different requirements for all times out of the country.
His mom, Vita, helped with getting her son settled in earlier than touring again to be together with her husband a couple of days later.
Leadbetter and his golf academy have supplied lodging for Golod, with the younger golfer staying along with his assistant as he continues to adapt to life within the US.
Although he’s not sure 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 aim goes to be to try to use his potential to hopefully go to varsity in America and play golf. I do not know if meaning a big-time faculty college or when you’re speaking one thing smaller or extra modest.
“But he does seem to have sufficient ability to earn some type of monetary assist, monetary scholarship for an American faculty. And so, I believe that is going to be the aim.”
Accommodating
Golod’s life has been turned the wrong way up along with his transfer internationally.
But makes an attempt are being made to make his time within the US as gratifying as potential given the state of affairs.
After the PGA Tour examine Golod’s story, they organized for the younger golfer to journey to the Players Championship — one among its marquee occasions — for the ultimate day of play on Monday, March 14.
During his time on the occasion, Golod met a few of 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 very best stage of golf.
Golod described it as “the perfect day of his life.”
Visit CNN.com/sport for extra information, options, and movies
But it did not cease there. Nugent defined that Golod was lent a set of golf golf equipment — as a result of “his nonetheless have not arrived,” in accordance with Nugent — and really performed the well-known TPC Sawgrass course.
Going via what he has is unimaginable for many, and whereas he is secure, his household isn’t removed from his ideas.
“I’m very grateful for everybody that contributed to me being right here and it is nice that I can proceed to pursue my objectives academically and athletically. But on the identical time, it’s extremely, very nerve-wracking having my complete household again in Ukraine.”