While its been awhile since the Pella girls golf team made a full squad appearance at the state meet, they’ve been well represented each of the past two seasons among Iowa’s best. The program is hopeful the momentum provided by two-time qualifier Karsyn Lyons will get multiple athletes to the final tournament of the season and for more success in the weeks in-between. Head Coach Joe Tangen says with 17 athletes suiting up to hit the links, many of whom are returning from the 2023 team, he’s excited about the potential this group has after placing 3rd at the regional tournament last year, coming 16 strokes away from a team state bid. Pella opens the season Thursday at Lynnville-Sully.

Key Returners:
Karysn Lyons, Junior
Lyons is not just a two-time qualifier, but an individual who has placed in the top portion of the class in both opportunities. Karysn placed 18th out of 70 golfers in Cedar Falls last May. Karysn started last year as the No. 1 golfer and held that spot, despite a midseason nagging injury. Assuming better health, Lyons is not just the clear scoring leader on this team, but she could push for a top ten finish at state if she takes a similar step up in her game this spring from her 2022 to 2023 appearances.

Emerson Lee, Junior
Lee was a newcomer to competing in green and white last spring, but not to the golf course, as she became the No. 2 golfer in the Dutch lineup. Emerson had the second best average over 18 hole performances, averaging 94.75, and closed the 2023 campaign scoring an 89 in the Regional finals. Lee will look to push both her 9-and-18 hole averages down into the 40s and 80s respectively, and push the team closer to postseason success.

Kennedy Van Vark, Senior
Following a strong winter campaign as the leading scorer of the Pella girls basketball team in their regional finals finish, Van Vark will try to get the girls golf squad a step further in their own journey in the spring. Van Vark finished with the third best cumulative average score at 52.58 last year and steadily increased her presence on the varsity scorecard as the year wore on. Van Vark scored 91 at the regional finals last season. Kennedy will try to translate her great basketball leadership to the rest of the team.