Giant portraits of Vladimir Putin adorn driving range targets at a golf course in the United Kingdom. (Zenger)
A golf course has added giant pictures of Vladimir Putin to its driving range targets, inviting golfers to smash balls at the Russian president’s face.
Grove Golf and Bowl in Leominster, Herefordshire, west of Birmingham, in England is asking customers to “knock some sense” into the Russian leader while raising money for the people of Ukraine.
Owner Roger Helme has printed giant photo portraits of Putin and attached them to the redesigned targets, which are dotted around the driving range.
Visitors are encouraged to use their golfing prowess to channel their anger over the unfolding war in Ukraine by whacking balls at Putin’s face.
Ten percent of all takings will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian appeal.
“Like everyone, we have been watching the news, feeling helpless as the situation unfolds,” said Helme, who owns the center with his family.
“We’re in the 21st century. These sorts of things shouldn’t be happening anymore.
“It must be absolutely soul destroying for the people out there,” he said.
Regular customer Will Maguire, 37, praised the incentive and said it was a great way to relieve stress and frustration.
“I won’t lie, it is pretty satisfying to crack a ball off Putin’s face and gets rid of a lot of stress,” said the dad-of-one from Hereford.
“It’s a fun way to raise money for what is just an awful, unimaginable situation and anything that can help the Ukrainian people has got to be a good thing,” he said.
“It certainly helps improve your game as I couldn’t stop aiming for him,” said another golfer, Danny Frampton, 42, of Leominster.
“At one point, you had about 20 golfers all going for the same target. It was quite funny really. It’s a great feeling when you land a ball off his bonce [head].
“I think it’s a brilliant idea and a great way to help out in a small way as everybody has been mortified by what they have been seeing unfold over there.”
The war in Ukraine has entered its 23nd day, following the invasion of the sovereign nation by Russian troops under the guise of “denazifying” the country.
Condemnation of Russia’s military action has been widespread, with the International Court of Justice on March 16 ordering Russia to cease all military operations in Ukraine immediately.
The same day, U.S. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. announced an $800 million assistance package for Ukraine’s defense, bringing the total amount of U.S. aid for the country to $1 billion in the past week and $2 billion since Biden took office, according to a statement from the White House.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees notes on its website that more than 3.2 million people have already fled Ukraine since Feb. 24, with up to 6.7 million people projected to be displaced internally by the crisis.
Edited by Siân Speakman and Kristen Butler
