Golf industry unites behind Golfers For Ukraine

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – As the golf world gathers at TPC Sawgrass for THE PLAYERS Championship, it expresses its unified support for the people of Ukraine.

PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan announced the TOUR’s support of Golfers For Ukraine, an industry-wide effort that is collecting donations for UNICEF, the United Nations agency that provides humanitarian and developmental aid to children impacted by the crisis.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine and those caught in the crosshairs of the conflict,” Monahan said Tuesday. “We hope for an end to this senseless violence and a peaceful resolution. The game of golf has a way of rallying around important causes and this is one.”

The PGA TOUR is among the golf organizations that has made donations to Golfers For Ukraine. Players, caddies and staff at THE PLAYERS will wear blue-and-yellow ribbons in support of the Ukrainian people, and Commissioner Monahan encouraged golfers to show their support by making donations at GolfersForUkraine.com.

As of Tuesday morning, more than $225,000 had been donated to the website.

UNICEF’s first shipment of humanitarian aid arrived in Ukraine last weekend and more are scheduled, the organization said. The shipment of an estimated 62 tons of supplies arrived in a six-truck convoy and included medical supplies such as medicine, first-aid kids, midwifery kits and surgical equipment.

The supplies are desperately needed as the conflict has forced families to shelter underground, cutting them off from basic services, and hospitals have moved their patients to basements. UNICEF said in a statement that hundreds of thousands of people are without safe drinking water due to damage to infrastructure and the country is running low on critical medical supplies.

“It’s hard. It’s hard to see, honestly,” said Jon Rahm, the world’s top-ranked player. “These people in Ukraine right now need help. … It’s a lot of innocent people that shouldn’t be going through this. I am at a loss for words every time I think about it.”

An additional delivery, including 17,000 blankets and warm clothing, is en route to Ukraine. The organization also is working to meet the needs of children and families fleeing into neighboring countries, including ‘Blue Dot’ safe spaces along transit routes where children and mothers can access services.

The organization is asking for $349 million for its response in Ukraine, and the golf world is determined to do its part.

“I think what’s going on in Ukraine is absolutely horrible,” said Rory McIlroy. “It’s absolutely brutal. It’s sad. It’s heartbreaking to see what’s happening to that country and those people and the families. From a human side of things, it’s just horrible what is going on.”