LAS CRUCES, N.M. - When a member of a family suffers from tragedy, everyone in the family feels the pain as well. Last month a member of the golfing family was killed, and that pain has been felt throughout the golf community. On Monday, Sept. 17, former Iowa State golfer Celia Barquin Arozamena was murdered, in what appeared to be a random act, while playing at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames, Iowa.
The incident was a shock to the entire golf community and players and coaches are still trying to wrap their heads around what happened. "There were no words for it." Weber State Head Coach Sara Federico said. "The golf course is always just so serene and beautiful. It's where you can free your mind, and to have that happen there, it's scary." For many golfers, the course is seen as a safe place and an escape from the real world. The thought that something so horrific could happen to someone in broad daylight is terrifying for many girls who spend countless hours alone in the same environment. What happened in Iowa has had an immediate impact on the everyday lives of golfers around the country.
"We let everyone know where we are so if we're coming to the course alone, we'll tell people and we'll make sure we stick to a schedule and we'll be home by a set time," New Mexico State sophomore golfer
Kehler Koss explained the precautions that are being taken by her and her teammates to ensure their safety.
Iowa State has done its best in trying to honor the late golfer by hosting a vigil on Wednesday, Sept. 19. The Iowa State football team wore "CBA" helmet decals and honored her in a ceremony when they took on Akron.
Yet, the overwhelming support that Celia and her family are receiving from the golfing world might be the most impressive. Golfers around the world have found different ways to honor Celia. Last month, professional golfers recognized her while playing in the Ryder Cup by wearing yellow ribbons with her name on them and this week during the Aggie Invitational, golfers also wore ribbons in memory of Celia. Players and coaches have realized how incredible the golf community has been during this time of mourning.
"It's been awesome, I'm getting chills right now just thinking about the whole reaction from the golf community." New Mexico State Head Coach
Danny Bowen said. "It's been amazing."
On a national level, Celia is set to be honored through a patch that was sent out by Rutgers to all NCAA Division I golf teams. When asked about the sentiment expressed by Rutgers, UT Rio Grande Valley junior golfer and native of Celia's home country Spain, Victoria Gonzalez said, "I was impressed, I didn't know that they would do something like that. I'm really grateful because now everyone can wear it and its great support."
On the golf course, Celia was very accomplished and appeared to have a bright future ahead of her. While golfing at Iowa State she was selected to the All-Big 12 First-Team, was crowned the Big 12 Individual Champion and was named the Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year in 2017. She also qualified to play in the 2018 United States Women's Open on the LPGA Tour. Away from the golf course her coaches, friends and family remember her as someone who was always smiling and had a bright, contagious personality.
Golf is such a unique sport when it comes to the competitive nature between athletes. Unlike any other sport, golfers find themselves playing alongside their competition for hours and often end up really getting to know the person that they are trying to best. This aspect speaks to the sense of family that exists within the golf community. Being a part of that close-knit society really means something to each golfer and that bond grew a little tighter when Celia Barquin Arozamena was murdered.
"It's sad that it took something like this to band everybody together, but I think everyone has kind of responded in a way of just supporting each other,"
Kehler Koss said.
This heartbreaking incident should have never taken place, but it is often said that in moments of weakness, we find out just how strong we really are. Today, I think we are finding out just how strong the golf community really is.
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