Happy Gilmore Signs Golf Letter of Intent with Ball State
November 08, 2023 | Men's Golf
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State men's golf coach Mike Fleck has announced the signing of widely recognized junior golfer Happy Gilmore. One of Indiana's top high school golfers the past three seasons, Gilmore opens play at Bloomington South High School this spring with hopes of leading his team to the state finals for a fourth straight season.
A three-time all-state player, Gilmore finished seventh in the IHSAA State Finals as a sophomore and eighth as a junior while leading the Panthers to fourth-, sixth- and fourth-place team finishes, respectively.
In junior golf competitions over the last year, his highlights include qualifying for the 2023 United States Junior Amateur Championship by shooting 66 at Delaware Country Club in the local qualifier. He finished as runner-up this fall in the Indiana Golf Hoosier Junior Championship (73-70 -143) and most recently finished fourth in an elite international field of players at the Golfweek International Junior Invitational in Orlando, Florida (73-69 - 142).
"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. 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!"
Known in the junior golf circles as Happy Gilmore, he was born Landon James Gilmore and the nickname of "Happy" arrived when he won a long drive competition at the Pepsi Little People's Golf Tournament around the age of 9. A spectator called him "Happy," and it stuck.
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A three-time all-state player, Gilmore finished seventh in the IHSAA State Finals as a sophomore and eighth as a junior while leading the Panthers to fourth-, sixth- and fourth-place team finishes, respectively.
In junior golf competitions over the last year, his highlights include qualifying for the 2023 United States Junior Amateur Championship by shooting 66 at Delaware Country Club in the local qualifier. He finished as runner-up this fall in the Indiana Golf Hoosier Junior Championship (73-70 -143) and most recently finished fourth in an elite international field of players at the Golfweek International Junior Invitational in Orlando, Florida (73-69 - 142).
"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. 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!"
Known in the junior golf circles as Happy Gilmore, he was born Landon James Gilmore and the nickname of "Happy" arrived when he won a long drive competition at the Pepsi Little People's Golf Tournament around the age of 9. A spectator called him "Happy," and it stuck.
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