How this U.S. Amateur finalist is honoring slain Iowa State golfer

CHASKA, Minn. — One of Josele Ballester’s head covers has the initials CBA on it. It may seem insignificant to most, but it’s a driving force for Ballester every time he tees it up.

The initials stand for Celia Barquin Arozamena, a former Iowa State golfer who was killed Sept. 17, 2018, while playing golf alone at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames, Iowa. The 22-year-old won the Big 12 Championship earlier that year.

This week, Ballester has made a run to the championship match of the 2024 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club, and Barquin Arozamena has been with him every step of the way.

“I had a chance to play with her once, and I’m pretty close to the family she had in Spain because we are from the same area,” said Ballester, who turns 21 on Sunday and is a rising senior at Arizona State. “So it’s just in her honor. Those are her initials.”

Collin Richards, the homeless man who pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing Barquin Arozamena, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Ballester is far from the only person to honor Barquin Arozamena. Nacho Elvira dedicated his win at the 2021 Cazoo Open on the DP World Tour to her, as well. Numerous college and players held memorials after the killing.

“(I’ve had it) since the moment it happened,” Ballester said. “Five, six years.”

On Sunday, Ballester will try to become the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Amateur, a historic feat.

But he’s also playing in memory of CBA.