Golden Hawk Golf Teams Start Season Monday

Mid-Prairie boys and girls golf teams open River Valley Conference play against Iowa City Regina

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:12pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a high school golf match, with the fairway, sand traps, and golfers broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, conveying the dynamic energy and tactical complexity of the sport.The Mid-Prairie golf teams' season-opening matches against Iowa City Regina showcase the competitive spirit and strategic depth that have fueled their recent success.Kalona Today

The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk boys and girls golf teams are set to start their seasons on Monday with River Valley Conference duals against Iowa City Regina. The Golden Hawk boys are coming off a 45-20 season and look to build on their success, led by returning All-RVC players Bryce Henry, Denver Nelson, Hudson Ehrenfelt and Ace Peck. The Golden Hawk girls put together a 46-8 record last year, winning their home invitational and finishing runner-up at the RVC Championships.

Why it matters

Golf is a major spring sport for the Mid-Prairie community, with both the boys and girls teams having strong recent histories of success. The start of the new season represents an opportunity for the Golden Hawks to continue that tradition and compete for conference and postseason honors.

The details

The Golden Hawk boys were 45-20 last season, their most wins since 2019. They finished second at the River Valley Conference Championship meet, led by individual RVC champion Bryce Henry. The Golden Hawk girls put together a 46-8 record, winning their home 18-hole Golden Hawk Invitational for the first time since 2014 and finishing runner-up at the RVC Championships. Both teams will need to replace some key contributors from last year, but return strong cores that have their sights set on another successful campaign.

  • The Mid-Prairie boys and girls golf teams open their seasons on Monday, March 30, 2026.
  • The Golden Hawk boys and girls will face Iowa City Regina in River Valley Conference duals starting at 4 p.m. today.

The players

Bryce Henry

The first Mid-Prairie golfer to win the individual River Valley Conference championship since 2006.

Denver Nelson

A returning All-RVC player for the Golden Hawk boys, he had a 42 average per nine holes and 85 average on 18 holes last season.

Morgyn Bender

Led the Golden Hawk girls to victory at their home invitational last season with a round of 91.

Addison English

An All-RVC performer for the Mid-Prairie girls last season, she had a 46 per nine hole average.

Kelby Bender

Head coach of the Mid-Prairie boys golf team, he was named RVC Coach of the Year last season.

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What they’re saying

“I think it's our depth and competitiveness. These guys played a lot of golf over the summer and they all want a spot in the lineup. You'll have competition for those spots. You'll have depth where if someone is struggling a little bit we can find someone in the lineup and see what we've got. They want to win, they want to play hard, compete with each other and do well for us.”

— Kelby Bender, Mid-Prairie Boys Golf Head Coach

“I think just the experience that they have as a group, even after graduating a couple of kids. The success that they've had. I think they will thrive on that and I look for the veterans to take the younger kids under their wing and show them the ropes. I think that will bring them along even quicker. It's nice to have that level of leadership on the team.”

— Tracy McArtor, Mid-Prairie Girls Golf Head Coach

What’s next

The Mid-Prairie boys and girls golf teams will look to continue their strong starts to the season when they compete in their next River Valley Conference duals later this week.

The takeaway

With experienced rosters and proven track records of success, the Mid-Prairie boys and girls golf teams are poised to build on their recent accomplishments and compete for conference and postseason honors this spring.