Girl golf star knifed to death on course
A MAN has been charged with murder after a champion young woman golfer was found stabbed to death on a course.
Celia Barquin Arozamena, 22, who was ranked among the top players on the world circuit and won the European Ladies’ Amateur championship in July, was found in a pond.
Police were called to Coldwater Golf Links in Ames, Iowa, USA, when players saw an abandoned bag on the ground.
Ms Barquin Arozamena’s body was then discovered “some distance” away, detectives later said in a statement.
The Spanish-born golfer had suffered several knife wounds to her head, neck and upper body in Monday’s attack.
Collin Daniel Richards, 22, of no fixed abode, has been charged with first-degree murder.
Devastated
Iowa State University said Ms Barquin Arozamena had been due to finish her civil engineering degree this term.
Her golf coach Christie Martens said: “We are all devastated.
“Celia was a beautiful person who was loved by all her teammates and friends.
“She loved Iowa State and was an outstanding representative for our school.
“We will never forget her competitive drive to be the best and her passion for life.”
Iowa State president Wendy Wintersteen said that she was “deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death”.
She described Ms Barquin Arozamena as a “dedicated civil engineering student” and an “acclaimed golfer with a bright future”. The European Golf Association paid tribute to “a delightful young lady who inspired all who met her”.
She had been ranked number at 69 nationally by Golfweek magazine.
During her time in the US, she rose to prominence as a young golfer and was named Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year.
She had been due to compete professionally at next year’s Women’s British Open, being held at Woburn, Beds.
She had also qualified for the professional 2018 US Women’s Open.