Happy Gilmore signs with Ball State to play golf (yes, this is real)

Happy Gilmore has officially signed to play golf with Ball State.

No, this isn’t a public relations stunt. A high school golfer and a senior from Indiana, Landon James Gilmore signed on to represent Ball State on Friday. He has held the name of ‘Happy’ since he was nine years old after he had won a driving competition.

A spectator gave him the name, obviously inspired by the film Happy Gilmore, starring Adam Sandler. The movie centers around an amateur hockey player who transitions to playing golf. His boorish behavior doesn’t inspire much camaraderie on the golf tour but fans embraced his demeanor in the movie.

As of Friday afternoon, Shooter McGavin did not return a request for comment.

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Happy has found his home

: https://t.co/LMdTxdfh6a#ChirpChirp x #WeFly x @happygilmore_44 pic.twitter.com/asg77I2o2n

— Ball State Golf (@BallStateMGolf) November 8, 2023

officially a cardinal pic.twitter.com/P61n0Od6Kd

— Happy Gilmore (@happygilmore_44) November 8, 2023

Despite the obvious buzz with his name, Gilmore is one of the top-ranked players in Indiana. He was a highly sought-after recruit.

“The excitement and energy around Happy joining our program is evident,” Ball State golf coach Mike Fleck said in a statement about Gilmore’s signing with the program.

“We are not only getting an elite junior player, but we are adding a great young man to the mix. 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!”

In other unrelated news, fellow MAC program Akron has announced that Billy Madison has signed his National Letter of Intent to play dodgeball for the Zips.