Happy Gilmore

Photo by: Jack Eads, Ball State Athletics

Photo by: Collin Phillips/Ball State Athletics

Weight:
null
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Bloomington, Ind.
Prev School:
Bloomington South HS

Gilmore begins his collegiate career after finishing tied for 11th in the Indiana High School state finals last spring ... both his verbal commitment to Ball State, as well as his letter-of-intent signing drew national and international attention in the golf world, largely due to his famous name, but his game on the links has earned attention on its own merit ... Gilmore arrives in Muncie after playing in U.S. Open qualifying last summer, as well as the prestigious Southeastern Amateur -- playing with his new Ball State teammates in each event.

"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!"

HIGH SCHOOL: Gilmore shot 70-79--149 to finish 11th in the IHSAA state finals as a senior ... the four-time all-state player finished seventh in the IHSAA finals as a sophomore and eighth as a junior while leading the Panthers to fourth-, sixth-, fourth and eighth-place team finishes, respectively, during his prep career ... in junior golf competitions prior to signing at Ball State, highlights include qualifying for the 2023 United States Junior Amateur Championship by shooting 66 at Delaware Country Club in the local qualifier ... finished as runner-up in Fall 2023 in the Indiana Golf Hoosier Junior Championship (73-70 -143) and finished fourth in an elite international field of players at the Golfweek International Junior Invitational in Orlando, Florida (73-69 - 142).

PERSONAL: Parents are Kim Ellett and Terry Gilmore ... 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.