There’s a Real ‘Happy Gilmore’ And He Just Committed to Play College Golf

Happy Gilmore just committed to playing college golf—yes, you read that sentence correctly. 

There’s a real high schooler with the same name as the hothead hockey-player-turned-golf-phenom played by Adam Sandler in the hit 1996 movie, Happy Gilmore. 

As it turns out, Gilmore is not only a golfer but he’s headed to Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. to embark upon his college golf career. 

According to Gilmore’s website, “Happy” isn’t actually his real first name—it’s Landon. But the high schooler has been going by the nickname for just under 10 years now, so it might as well be. 

Gilmore started playing golf young, and at age 9 he won a long drive competition at a Pepsi Little Peoples tournament. A heckler called him “Happy,” and the rest was history. Gilmore even signs up for tournaments using the name. 

“I am very excited to announce that I have committed to continue my academic and golf career at Ball State University,” Gilmore, who attends Bloomington High School South, wrote on Twitter. “I am very grateful for the opportunity Coach Fleck has given me! I would like to thank my family, my friends and coaches who push me everyday!”

Social media naturally exploded when Gilmore’s announcement started making waves, and the popular Twitter account of Shooter McGavin—Happy’s infamous nemesis in the film—even chimed in. 

“Congrats but I tell you what, you’d be something in one of those long drive contests. Hell, you’d probably make a very good living. Traveling around, hustling at driving ranges. Just a thought,” McGavin wrote. 

We see what you did there, Shooter.