A high school student from Bloomington, Indiana, has committed to play collegiate golf at Ball State University and caught the attention of actor Adam Sandler, who played the fictional golfer Happy Gilmore in the 1996 film. The real-life Happy Gilmore, whose birth name is Landon Gilmore, was given the nickname after winning a long-drive contest at age nine. He is now ranked 481st among junior boys by Golfweek and recently shot a 66 at a US Amateur qualifier. Sandler congratulated Gilmore on Twitter, writing “Go get em Happy. Pulling for you,” to which the teen replied, “My life is complete.” Gilmore credits the “Happy” nickname with helping him gain publicity. In the film, Happy Gilmore also played ice hockey and had a fighting spirit, whereas the real-life Gilmore has never played hockey. However, he has claimed that he can do “the Happy Gilmore swing,” which involves a running start. Gilmore thanked his family, friends, and coaches for their support and expressed his excitement about continuing his academic and golf career at Ball State University. Gilmore’s commitment to Ball State was also covered by GolfChannel.com and For the Win.
Adam Sandler Congratulates Golfer Happy Gilmore
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