Mykhailo “Misha” Golod of Ukraine stands in front of the clubhouse on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass March 14 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (Keyur Khamar/PGA Tour/Getty Images)
When Mykhailo “Misha” Golod stepped off the plane at Orlando International Airport in Florida on March 11, it was the end of a marathon journey the 15-year-old and his mother had undertaken to escape the war in his native Ukraine .
But his arrival in the US from Kyiv – although it ensured his safety – came at a price.
Golod’s mother would soon return to Ukraine to stay with his father, who had to stay due to martial law, which forbids men aged 18 to 60 to leave the country, and his grandparents. Although Golod believes his grandparents and mother will travel to the United States, he is unsure when he will next see his father.
While he values his safety, having most of his family back in Ukraine in the midst of Russia’s invasion of the country has weighed heavily on him.
“It’s very devastating but luckily they all have Wi-Fi and a source of internet, food and water and I can still speak to them and make sure they’re safe,” he told CNN.
“And I know when it’s all over, I’m definitely going to bring her over here to be with me.”
Golod added: “My father will not be able to leave until martial law ends. Otherwise he has to stay there and we hope for the best.”
Golod is one of the best young golfers in Ukraine and has competed in competitions around the world. After his arduous 5,000-mile journey, it was a visa obtained by competing in a tournament in the United States that helped him re-enter the country and find safety.
Read more about Golod’s escape from Ukraine here and watch his interview with CNN here: