Rode McElreath remains one of the greatest men's golfers in the history of McMurry University Athletics after a solid four-year career from 2003-07. He golfed for Coach Russ Evans.
McElreath came to McMurry from nearby Merkel, Texas, and made an impact all four seasons. In just his first season, McMurry won the American Southwest Conference championship as a team and McElreath earned first team All-ASC honors.
In 2006, McElreath received an at-large individual bid to compete in the NCAA Division III National Tournament, where he tied for 57th. He was the first War Hawk golfer to accomplish this feat, as he was later joined by current golfer Brendon Lowrance in 2019.
His senior season would prove to be one for the record books, as he was named as a second team NCAA Division III All-American, an NCAA All-West Region selection and was voted as a PING first team All-American. He also earned second team all-conference that season.
That same season, McElreath averaged 72.9 in scoring. This average remains the lowest in school history, according to records that date back to 1971.
McElreath's lowest round of golf came on Sept. 26, 2006 in Pineville, La. The Merkel native carded a 67, which ranks second in program history with five other golfers. The only round lower than his came from Matt Porter in 2012 with a 66.
McElreath graduated from McMurry in December of 2007 with a degree in psychology. Immediately after graduation, he went on to work for Basic Wireline for 10 years as an explosives engineer, field supervisor and area manager.
He currently works as an athletic coordinator, teacher and coach at Clack Middle School in Abilene. At Clack, he coaches football, basketball and track while providing golf lessons on the side.
McElreath and his wife, Kayce, married in August of 2008 and the couple have three children, Tayvie Jo, Jett and Jaxon. The family resides in Merkel, Texas.
