LJGA NEWS
Misha Golod wins Florida Junior Tour Event
Ukrainian golfer Mykhailo (Misha) Golod fled his home country, just weeks after deadly attacks began near his home city of Kyiv. Golod, 15, traveled to the United States with his mom, a 54-hour, 5,000-mile trip to safety. Misha’s mother accompanied him on the trip but returned home just days after Misha’s arrival. She returned to Ukraine as Misha’s dad and grandparents were unable to leave the country. Just weeks before, Misha’s story was covered by Golf Digest and upon learning of Misha, David Leadbetter had taken action, developing a plan for him to come to Orlando, FL. Misha was welcomed by the juniors and instructors at Leadbetter Junior Golf Academy–which would be a safe haven during this difficult time.
Misha’s first month at the academy was filled with media attention. He appeared on major news networks like Fox News, CNN, and Golf Channel, among others. He was invited inside the ropes at The Players and even attended The Masters. Back at the Academy, his day-to-day life had completely changed. Misha would get up in the very early hours to attend his virtual classes back in Ukraine. After breakfast, Misha practices in the morning and joins the Junior Academy in the afternoon. Needless to say, transitioning to a “normal life” took some time, but as Misha began to settle into life at LJGA the results soon followed.
This past weekend, Misha secured his first win at ChampionsGate Golf Club. Golod fired rounds of 67, 71, and 72 for a six-under total, winning the FJT ChampionsGate 54-Hole Major by one stroke. Golod has been working with LGA Senior Instructor David Louys-Moroney upon his arrival. Golod is trending in the right direction, coming off an impressive top-10 finish at the Terra Cotta Invitational in Naples, FL.