“Regain my strength” – how golf helped Valentyn after Ukraine bombing 

Valentyn Vodolazskyi lived a peaceful life until war came to his home city of Popasna, in the Luhansk region of Ukraine. 

Valentyn was born with hip dysplasia and would in 2022 need his left hip replaced. What happened next is a remarkable story about first survival from war and then finding a way to look ahead with spirit and generosity to the future. 

Leading the way in his rehabilitation, his return to fitness and his optimistic outlook on life, has been his discovery of golf, today’s “greatest motivation”.

Some superb people have helped Valentyn along the way, and golf’s offering of a sanctuary and a personal challenge in the most difficult of times is a great example of how this sport can help people from all backgrounds to get the most out of the life ahead. 

With great thanks to the Ukrainian Golf Federation and to Valentyn Vodolazskyi, we share Valentyn’s personal story, written here by Valentyn himself.

Valentyn’s story in his own words

My name is Valentyn Vodolazskyi. I am 43 years old and I was born in Popasna, Luhansk region. I was born with a disability — hip dysplasia — but this never stopped me from living an active life and playing sports, mainly football. I also worked in agriculture, growing berries such as strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and others. Overall, I lived a calm and peaceful life.

Everything changed in 2014 when the war came to our region. We experienced hunger, cold, and constant fear. Leaving and abandoning everything was extremely difficult, so we stayed and continued working, making plans for the future despite all the hardship.

In February 2022, I underwent left hip replacement surgery in Kharkiv. I was discharged just a few days before the full-scale invasion began. From March 2, heavy shelling started, and my rehabilitation took place in a basement that became our bomb shelter. This continued for almost a month.

On March 19, a shell hit our house, and my mother, brother, and I began urgently preparing to leave. We ordered a minibus taxi for March 20 — it was the only way to evacuate, as no one else was coming anymore. However, the shelling was so intense that the trip had to be postponed until the next day.

On March 21, at around 6 a.m., a small group of nine civilians headed toward the meeting point. About fifteen minutes later, when we were almost there, shelling began again. It felt as if the fire was aimed directly at our group. My mother and brother, who were walking ahead, managed to take cover. I was less fortunate — a shell exploded just two meters away from me and severely injured the same left leg that had recently been operated on. It was pure shock.

Golf supported by new friends

Thankfully, the taxi arrived in time. I was loaded onto the floor of the minibus, as there were no seats available, and we rushed to the hospital in Bakhmut. Despite a long and complex surgery, my leg could not be saved.

On April 8–9, we were evacuated to Lviv. I spent more than a month in hospital, followed by a long process of accepting and adapting to a new reality.

In December 2022, a friend told me about the opening of the Superhumans prosthetics center. I immediately applied. In March 2023, I traveled to Germany to receive my prosthesis, followed by rehabilitation, learning to walk confidently again, and finally being discharged.

On the day of my discharge, Superhumans gifted me a stay at Edem Golf Club [Lviv region]. My first impressions were overwhelming — silence, beauty, care, and an almost fairytale atmosphere. 

One day before leaving Edem, I learned that Superhumans’ patients could practice golf there as part of their rehabilitation. I had only seen golf on TV and in films, but I decided to try.

We started on the putting green, and I was instantly hooked — I didn’t want to leave. I met Denys, the club director and coach, and later coach Kateryna. Together with the entire team, they created an environment where everyone felt equal, which was incredibly important to me. From that moment on, I started coming to golf training every week.

In July 2024, a tournament was organized in Munich, Germany, where I participated as part of the Ukrainian national golf team. This experience was made possible with the support of the Ukrainian Golf Federation. Although we did not take prize positions, it was a hugely valuable international experience for all of us.

In November 2024, I competed in another European tournament in Mallorca, where I finished sixth. I am deeply grateful to Superhumans and the entire team involved for making this journey possible.

The year 2025 has been full of events and progress. I have achieved several podium finishes in different tournaments. On May 3, at the season opening of Edem Golf Club, I took first place on the academy course. Later that year, the “Golf of Heroes” tournament was held at Edem with the support of the Ukrainian Golf Federation and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, where I again won first place.

All of this is the result of dedicated coaching and the conditions created for us. Golf has become my greatest motivation — almost like an addiction in the best possible sense. Even when you’re tired, dirty, or hungry after training, you still want to come back the next day. For me, golf is the best form of rehabilitation — a place where you can mentally rest and regain strength.

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