Scottsdale student golf exchange continue in pursuit of education, passion
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Two Scottsdale youth golfers who participated in the Inaugural 2023 Scottsdale-Killarney Student Golf Exchange will pursue golfing alongside their college academics.
Oscar Uribe, graduating from Saguaro High School on May 23, has signed with New York University and will play on the Men’s Varsity Golf Team. NYU’s golf program calls Hendricks Golf Club, of Essex County, NJ, home and provides world class facilities to help young golfers train and compete for championships.
Raleigh Lard, graduating from Horizon High School in May, will attend Hastings College, a private Presbyterian college in Hastings, Nebraska, a community of 25,000 people. Receiving both academic and golf scholarships, Raleigh will play for the Lady Broncos Golf Team while majoring in Finance at Hastings.
Oscar began swinging a golf club at age 3 when an uncle gave him a plastic set of clubs.
“He hasn’t stopped swinging since,” said his mother, Sara Uribe.
While in Killarney, Ireland, last summer as part of the Golf Exchange, Oscar said he really appreciated the challenge to play links courses there.
“I learned how to play in sand and wind,” he noted.
“Growing up in Scottsdale has given me great opportunities — from golf to education.” Oscar noted. “I am very excited to announce my signing to further my academic and athletic career at New York University. Excited for the next chapter and roll Violets!”
Raleigh began playing competitive golf in 2020 as a freshman at Horizon High.
“I can’t wait to further my education and continue my career in golf at Hastings College,” she said. “I loved the campus at Hastings and the people were so welcoming and nice right when I visited. I loved the community and the cold weather as well.”
Sponsored by Scottsdale Sister Cities the goal of the Inaugural Scottsdale-Killarney Student Golf Exchange was to “Educate World Class Ambassadors through Golf.”