Real-life Happy Gilmore – named after the iconic Adam Sandler film – officially signs with the Ball State golf team
- Happy Gilmore has officially signed with Ball State’s Indiana golf program
- Named after the 1996 Adam Sandler film, Happy thrives in junior golf
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Indiana’s Ball State has confirmed the signing of perhaps college golf’s most high-profile recruit: Happy Gilmore.
The Bloomington South senior – named after the iconic character Adam Sandler in the 1996 comedy of the same name – is one of the state’s most promising golfers.
Now, he has officially committed to Ball State’s golf program for the 2024 season after signing a letter of intent earlier this year.
“The excitement and energy surrounding Happy’s participation in our program is evident,” Ball State golf coach Mike Fleck said.
“Not only are we getting an elite junior player, but we’re also adding a great young man to the mix.
Happy Gilmore (second from left) has signed his letter of intent to join Ball State’s golf program
The Bloomington South senior is one of Indiana’s most promising golfers
“He has positioned himself as one of the best and most recognizable junior golfers in the country, and has a tournament-tested track record of success both in Indiana and nationally. Ball State Golf is excited to welcome Happy Gilmore to our family.
Gilmore was born in Landon, but was nicknamed “Happy” when he was six years old and started playing golf. according to TODAY.
He has a thriving reputation in junior golf. He is a three-time all-state player who finished seventh in the IHSAA State Finals as a sophomore and eighth as a junior the following year.
Happy rose to fame in 2022 when he attempted to qualify for the US Open in a qualifying event but ultimately fell short.
Sandler’s legendary character plays golf in a scene from the hit 1996 comedy
And Sandler is even supporting him, after the legendary Hollywood actor tweeted in June: “Go get em Happy.” I’ll pull for you.’
In response, Happy replied, “My life is complete.”
Sandler’s character Happy is a rejected hockey player turned golfer trying to make enough money to keep his grandmother from being evicted from her home.
In the film, he has an impressive golf swing and a foul mouth, and is best known for his lead-up swing, which has been copied by many players in the nearly thirty years since its release.
But can the real player copy the action of the movie character? Of course he can. His Twitter bio even reads, “Yes, I can do the Happy Gilmore swing!”