“It felt like paradise”: Golf Therapy for Ukrainian Soldiers
As part of a joint initiative by the Mission Ukraine and the NGO “United by Golf” Sports Club, a special golf therapy session was held for Ukrainian service members.
There was tension on the bus on the way to the Kozyn Golf Club – the men looked exhausted. Yet the instant they set foot on the green fields, surrounded by birdsong and tranquil waters, something changed. The outdoor setting, the game itself and the support of fellow veterans and skilled instructors created an environment in which they could truly let go.
Golf is more than just a sport. It is also a tool for healing. This approach was widely adopted in the United States to help rehabilitate Vietnam War veterans, and it is now being embraced in Ukraine.
Among the participants were veterans who had lost limbs in combat, but not their desire to live and learn. One of them, Artem Moroz, was an inspiration to the others: ‘Last week, guys in wheelchairs played here – and they managed it. So can you.”
Victory wasn’t the objective; achieving an inner sense of peace was, though. By the end of the game, the mood had lightened and the men were laughing and playfully counting their hits. Someone quietly said: ‘It almost felt like there was no war…’ Moments like this are exactly why we do what we do.
After the game, there was the traditional handshake, followed by a shared lunch and lengthy conversations. Everyone went home with a golf ball and a cigar. And no whisky – the war is not over yet.
But inner peace came a step closer.
📖 Read the full article on LB.ua (Ukrainian)