How New York City-area golf clubs are supporting displaced Ukrainian students

As war rages on in Ukraine, New York City-area golf clubs are doing their part to aid displaced Ukrainian students.

The Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation, in partnership with Met Area golf clubs, announced Thursday that they will offer summer internship opportunities to Ukrainian students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities.

The initiative will operate through GOLFWORKS, the MGA Foundation’s internship program, and aims to aid Ukrainian students who do not have a home country to return to this summer. The program also hopes to meet the demand of seasonal employment needs at Met Area clubs.

“[The MGA] has the infrastructure to do this — this is what we do on an annual basis,” said Brian Mahoney, the MGA’s executive director. “So this seemed like a perfect match and a great initiative that so many felt passionately about.”

The program will match eligible students with host clubs in the New York City metropolitan area. Positions available for the internships include course maintenance, golf services, waitstaff, kitchen and administration. Golf knowledge is not a prerequisite.

Mahoney said the idea to assist displaced Ukrainians came about in the past several weeks.

“A couple individuals that felt passionately and were thinking creatively contacted us,” Mahoney said. “Some Met Area golf leaders brought an idea to the MGA about a way to activate our GOLFWORKS program, and that’s really where it was ignited.”

The initiative was spearheaded by Paramount Country Club, Springbrook Country Club, Hollywood Golf Club, Ridgewood Country Club, Mountain Ridge Country Club, Somerset Hills Country Club, Morris County Golf Club, Trump Bedminster, Navesink Country Club and Shelter Island Yacht Club.

“The reactions from clubs has been so positive,” Mahoney said. “They’ve said, ‘We are absolutely here to help. We understand they have some needs, and we will figure out how they best match with us and make it work because it’s the right thing to do.’”

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Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF.com, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf.