When junior Andrew Rhodes arrived at Ball State University in 2005 his dream was to play on the men's golf team.
Entering his third year at the university, Rhodes is now getting a chance to live out that dream.
After two unsuccessful attempts to make Ball State's men's golf team, Rhodes was named to the Cardinals' team this summer as an NCAA student-athlete.
"It's taken a lot of hard work to get where I am right now," Rhodes said. "I'd say it's an achievement that I can play a sport at the NCAA level."
An alumnus of Oak Hill High School in Sweester, Rhodes earned four letters in golf, all-conference and all-state honors as a senior, and Oak Hill's records for lowest 18-hole and nine-hole scores.
Despite Rhode's accomplishments in high school, he was not heavily recruited. He received interest from smaller schools but decided to attend Ball State in hopes of making the team.
"I didn't look around as much as I could have," Rhodes said. "Since my junior year of high school I thought I was going to go to Ball State. Ball State was close to home and I felt I could play here. Even if I didn't make the team I knew I was going to attend Ball State."
After visiting the campus, coach Mike Fleck informed Rhodes he would have to try out and raise his grades before making the team.
"I came into college wanting to continue playing golf," Rhodes said. "It didn't work out well when I first came here. My grades were kind of a problem, but I didn't stop playing golf. I understood where coach Fleck was coming from."
Fleck said Rhodes tried out when the roster was mostly settled. Rhodes, however, decided to work harder, both athletically and academically.
"I took a few months off my sophomore year due to an injury but came back this year and played well in the summer," Rhodes said. "I worked on my grades and got them up to a respectable level and good enough to where everything finally came together. I got down on myself for not making the team, but I just continued to work hard."
After graduating five players in 2006, Fleck said he searched for leadership and talent. Unlike his first two tryouts, Rhodes had a better chance of making the team.
"We currently have no seniors on our roster and it worked in his favor in having an opportunity to play," Fleck said. "He had more room to make an impact. He got better with his golf game and his summer performance was pretty impressive."
With showings this summer including first-place finishes at the Indiana District Qualifier and the IGA-PGA Challenge Cup at Brickyard Crossing, Rhodes said he knew he was doing something special.
"I just played better this summer," Rhodes said. "I have gotten better and this was the time I got the chance to make the team. I finally got a chance to put myself in a position to win big."
Rhodes also placed second at the 107th Indiana Amateur Championship and tied for third at the 2007 Indiana PGA Open.
"Andrew had one of the more impressive summers in the state of Indiana," teammate Brian Maurer said. "He's lived up to his expectations and it will only get better."
During the two years Rhodes was not on the team, he said he didn't pay attention to the team's performance because it was too aggravating. Rhodes said he decided to focus on his own game and get better.
"I was really excited when I made the team," Rhodes said. "It was a good feeling."
After an impressive start, Rhodes still believes he has a lot to accomplish.
"I always have goals in my life," Rhodes said. "In high school it was making State. In college it was making the team. I pushed myself hard in the summer."
Though Rhodes said he sometimes feels like a freshman, he understands the importance of leadership.
"I need to be a leader and carry leadership," Rhodes said. "I feel like the freshmen look up to me. I learn from them and they learn from me. We all get along and I love all the guys on the team."
Maurer said Rhodes is right where he belongs.
"What he had done is impressive," Maurer said. "It's a testament to what hard work can do. He got kicked down early, but we are now starting to see all the fruits of his labor. He is a vital part to our team and what we are trying to do. It's only the beginning for him and it will only get more exciting."
With high expectations, Rhodes is continuing to practice and do well in school, Fleck said.
"He impressed me with his perseverance," Fleck said. "He got better with his golf game and became more responsible and accountable in the classroom. He has come in here and done a great job so far. He is doing exactly what I thought he would be doing, which is contributing consistently."
Rhodes is now only looking into the future.
"You have to have confidence in yourself," Rhodes said. "Work hard and practice as much as you can. That's about all you can really do. I've put the bad stuff behind me and now I can only look forward."
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