Team Europe to wear yellow tribute ribbons for Celia Barquin Arozamena at Ryder Cup

Arozamena was a leading amateur based at Iowa State University who was found dead at Coldwater Golf Links course in Ames last week

Sergio Garcia said of Team Europe's decision to wear a yellow ribbon to honour Celia Barquin Arozamena: 'I guess the only thing we can do is pay a great tribute to her and make sure that her family feShow more

Europe's traditional Ryder Cup colours will carry a hue of sadness this week as the players don yellow ribbons in tribute to Spanish amateur golfer Celia Barquin Arozamena, who was stabbed to death on a course in the United States last week. Ryder Cup officials approached Barquin Arozamena's family to discuss a tribute and were told her favourite colour was yellow.

"It was very sad when we found out," fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia said on Wednesday.

"My dad spoke to her uncle, and it was very sad when we found out on Tuesday morning [last week] in Portugal, for many reasons, not only because she was way too young, but she was just too nice of a person, and the way it happened.

"Unfortunately these things happen in the world, and nowadays, more than ever. It's sad. But I guess the only thing we can do is pay a great tribute to her and make sure that her family feels proud of us, and I know they feel proud of her."

The 22-year-old Barquin Arozamena was a leading amateur based at Iowa State University and had hoped to turn professional. Police have charged a man with first degree murder. Collin Daniel Richards, also 22, was charged with first-degree murder on Tuesday. Police have not released information on whether Richards knew Arozamena, or the manner in which she died.

"We want to try to win the cup for Europe, for everyone, for our teammates, but obviously with the passing of Celia, it's an extra effort there," Garcia added.

"We're obviously touched by it. Hopefully we can make sure that the family are proud."

European captain Thomas Bjorn voiced similar thoughts during his news conference on Tuesday. "The golfing family extends way beyond what we are trying to do this week," he said.

"She was such a great prospect for the game of golf but also a wonderful person."

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