Iowa City Liberty’s Bella Pettersen recovers from double-hip surgery to rank among top Iowa high school golfers

IOWA CITY — The golf season has surpassed expectations for Iowa City Liberty’s Bella Pettersen.

She expressed pride and happiness in her accomplishments. Add what she has overcome just to get back on the course and it is even more special.

“Definitely, coming back from double-hip surgery has not been easy, mentally or physically,” Pettersen said. “I had to work a lot on figuring the swing out again. I really used the mindset of not expecting too much of myself.”

Pettersen has performed closer to her old form, earning Mississippi Valley Conference Player of the Year honors and finishing third at the Class 4A state tournament as a freshman and sophomore. Players across the state will compete in regionals in all classes Wednesday, attempting to qualify for the state tournament May 23-24.

Liberty and Iowa City High will play in a regional at Geneva Golf and Country Club in Muscatine.

The fact that Pettersen has played her senior season is impressive. Pettersen has endured juvenile arthritis to become one of the state’s best. The effects of arthritis combined with possible issues of growth plate formation at birth led to surgery on both hips last summer. The procedures were just a month apart and prevented her from getting back on the course in March.

“It’s kind of an unbelievable story,” Pettersen said. “I was supposed to have hip surgeries in August and September. There was a change in plans because my body was going down under pretty fast, so I had it June 21 and July 21. It’s something they don’t like to do because it is such a mental process itself.

“It was pretty nasty in there. I’m glad I got it done.”

Pettersen had some setbacks in recovery and altered treatment slightly. She was limited to putting and work on her short game in the offseason.

Just two months later, she’s an all-MVC Mississippi Division golfer again.

“I really struggled with fatigue easily,” Pettersen said. “I’ve been working on medications for that. As far as what my body is able to do, it’s 100 percent. I would do the hip surgeries over and over again, if that meant my body is where it is now.”

Pettersen ranks fourth in the state in 18-hole adjusted average at 76.83 and combined adjusted average at 38.46. She won a quad at The Meadows in her second meet in April, despite topping a few tee shots and getting into tough situations she had never been in previously. Pettersen overcame it all to post a 2-over 38.

Pettersen turned around and shot 2-under in the first divisional meet at Pheasants Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls — her home course when she continues her career at the University of Northern Iowa with Coach John Bermel.

“He believes in me,” Pettersen said. “As long as he believes in me, I’ll believe in myself more.”

Pettersen considers herself an underdog for the postseason. After all, she went about nine months without a full round of golf while others played throughout the summer and fall. She said she hopes to put everything together but she will accept the results from going out and doing her best.

“I’m out there to learn how to compete again and to be in the mix,” Pettersen said. “Seeing these golfers having a season (over) me and shoot better than me has been a humbling experience. I think I really just enjoyed being out there again and learning their game as well as learning my game.

“I’m just expecting myself to go out there with a good attitude and take one shot at a time.”

Iowa high school girls’ golf regional preview

Cedar Rapids Washington is coming off winning the MVC Valley Division championship. The Warriors host a 4A regional at Gardner. The field includes Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Cedar Rapids Prairie, Clinton, Davenport West, Dubuque Hempstead, Dubuque Senior, Indianola and Johnston.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Iowa City West and MVC Valley runner-up Western Dubuque head to a regional at American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown.

Linn-Mar and defending 4A state champion Morgan Rupp will play in a regional at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames.

Cedar Rapids Xavier is in a 3A regional hosted by Solon at Saddleback Ridge Golf Course. Lisbon and Washington (Iowa) are among the 11 teams there.

Marion travels to Manchester for a 3A regional at Pin Oaks Golf Course. Benton Community, Center Point-Urbana, Decorah, Independence, Maquoketa, South Tama and West Delaware are also in the field.

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