It’s unfair to classify 2023 as too much of a “down” campaign for the Pella boys golf team — they had their fair share of strong scores and performances against at-times a gauntlet of a schedule, especially living with a largely underclassmen-based lineup looking to replace two of the best seniors to wear green and white.

But the program is hopeful some of the bumps in the road last year will lead to bigger and better things in 2024. Pella will try to do so with a majority of varsity members returning and a few newcomers that could also compete for spots in the final six. Head Coach Bob Fessler says that intrasquad competition and another year of maturity could mean something special for the team in 2024.

Pella’s boys open the season Friday at Woodland Hills Golf Course.

Key Returners:
Cade McGinley, Senior
Of the shoes to fill from 2023, Cade probably had the biggest of them all following the graduation of the program’s G.O.A.T. in Will Simpson. McGinley gave it a strong effort, averaging 79.2 per 18 holes. McGinley even shot a strong 78 in the district meet, but he had plenty of time to dwell on one hole that may have been the difference between the season ending and a state bid. Cade carded a triple bogey on the 18th at Bos, knocking him out of contention for an individual bid by one stroke. McGinley has used that disappointment as part of his offseason fuel, and he looks to take the next leap as the Dutch leader on the scorecard, trying to push his scores ever close to the mid or even low 70s.

AJ Hoekstra, Senior
“Lefty” in the Dutch lineup had a similar leap to his classmate Cade in regards to responsibility in 2023, and held down the No. 2 spot with a solid junior campaign. His 82.79 average seemed to improve especially later in the season, with his 80 at the district meet at Bos Landen serving as a highlight. However, Hoekstra, much like the team, rode a wave of some inconsistency that he aims to iron out this spring, and if he can, he should find his scores drop into the upper 70s and push the Dutch closer to the top of Class 3A.

Cole Floden, Sophomore
On a team where a lot was expected of the Class of 2024 last year, a newcomer emerged to become the consistent No. 3 in the scorecard rotation for the green and white. Cole played beyond his years in a lot of ways, including a season best score of 77 — only five other fellow freshman shot a score lower than that mark in 2023, and his 84.64 season average was the 6th best among 9th grade players. If Floden takes another step in his physical maturity and experience on the course, look for a big sophomore season to bolster the middle of the Pella lineup.