Student Golfers Set to Represent Scottsdale as Youth Ambassadors to Killarney, Ireland

Scottsdale

Sister Cities Association (SSCA) has chosen four outstanding student athlete golfers to represent the city as youth ambassadors in Killarney, Ireland. Payton Connelly, Oscar Uribe, Raleigh Lard, and Aaryan Dwivedi, all students from Scottsdale high schools, were selected for the inaugural International Student Golf Exchange program sponsored by SSCA.

SSCA’s delegation of student golfers and chaperones traveling to Ireland for Inaugural International Student Golf Exchange. (L to R): Oscar Uribe, Dale Balvin, Aaryan Dwivedi, Payton Connelly, Raleigh Lard, JoAnn Garner.

The program includes a two-way exchange between Scottsdale and Killarney, with the Scottsdale student delegation traveling to Dublin and Killarney from June 17 to 26, to be hosted by the families of four Killarney student golfers. The Irish delegation will visit Scottsdale from October 26 to November 4, where they will be hosted by local families. Both trips will include three matches for the student athletes to improve their skills, as well as cultural excursions and volunteer work with a charitable organization in the host city. The golf courses chosen for the exchange are Killarney Golf and Fishing Club and Dooks

Golf Links of Glenbeigh, which are known for their stunning locations overlooking Lough Leane and the Atlantic Ocean.

"Golf is a lifelong and non-violent sport critical to the prosperity of Scottsdale; therefore, Scottsdale Sister Cities is educating worldclass ambassadors of peace through the game of golf," says JoAnn Garner, chair of SSCA's Killarney Committee.

The International Student Golf Exchange program aims to promote cultural exchange and goodwill through the sport of golf, fostering greater understanding and appreciation among young people from different countries. The program is part of SSCA's mission to build bridges of international friendship and goodwill through citizen diplomacy with eight sister cities. For more information about SSCA and its programs, or to become a member, visit scottsdalesistercities.org.