- Happy Gilmore has officially signed with Ball State’s golf program in Indiana
- Named after the 1996 Adam Sandler film, Happy is flourishing in junior golf
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Indiana’s Ball State have confirmed the signing of arguably college golf’s most high-profile recruit: Happy Gilmore.
The Bloomington South senior – named after the iconic Adam Sandler character in the 1996 comedy of the same name – is one of the state’s most promising golf prospects.
Now he’s 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 around Happy joining our program is evident,’ said Ball State golf coach Mike Fleck.
‘We are not only getting an elite junior player, but we are adding a great young man to the mix.
Happy Gilmore (second 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 golf prospects
‘He has positioned himself as one of the best and most recognizable junior golfers in the country, and has a tournament tested resume of success both in Indiana and nationally. Ball State golf is excited to welcome Happy Gilmore to our family’.
Gilmore was born Landon but began to go by the nickname ‘Happy’ when he was six years old and started to play 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 the following year as a junior.
Happy gained notoriety back in 2022 when he tried to qualify for the US Open at a qualifying event, ultimately falling short.
Sandler’s legendary character plays golf in a scene from the 1996 blockbuster comedy
And he’s even got Sandler rooting for him, after the legendary Hollywood actor tweeted back in June: ‘Go get em Happy. Pulling for you.’
In response, Happy replied: ‘My life is complete.’
Sandler’s character Happy is a rejected hockey player-turned-golfer who tries to earn enough money to stop his grandmother being kicked out of her house.
In the movie, he has an impressive golf swing and a foul mouth, and is most well-known for his run-up swing, which has been copied by many a player in the near-30 years since its release.
But can the real life player copy the movie character’s action? Of course he can. His Twitter bio, in fact, reads: ‘Yes I can do the Happy Gilmore swing!’