CNN
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A sports-obsessive named Glad Gilmore wins a long-drive contest and proceeds to chase a profession in skilled golf.
You may acknowledge that plot synopsis from Adam Sandler’s 1996 comedy, named for its protagonist, which has turn out to be a cult traditional amongst golf and movie followers alike.
However this plot additionally tells the very actual story of a younger Indiana golfer.
Whereas his neurotic fictional namesake – who brawled each an alligator and TV host Bob Barker – fairly actually fought his method to the PGA Tour Championship, the 17-year-old real-life Glad Gilmore is carving a calmer path in the direction of the Tour.
“I’d say I’ve received somewhat bit higher anger administration,” Gilmore advised CNN. “I haven’t punched anyone or damaged any rakes not too long ago.”
Born Landon Gilmore and gifted a set of golf golf equipment on his first birthday, the potential for all times to mimic artwork was a chance lengthy earlier than he performed his first occasion across the age of six, the Little Individuals’s Golf Championship in Quincy, Illinois.
However after profitable the event’s long-drive occasion, he was given the nickname “Glad” and Gilmore’s destiny was sealed. By the point he was 12, Glad was, for all intents and functions, his official title.
As of late, it’s uncommon for the Bloomington Excessive College sophomore to listen to his beginning title, with many classmates and lecturers unaware he was ever often known as the rest.
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A daily face on the state’s junior golf circuit, the presence of the title Glad Gilmore on occasion leaderboards inevitably raises eyebrows amongst organizers and opponents alike.
“They’ll assume it’s humorous or they’ll assume it’s a joke,” Gilmore mentioned. “Then I’ll level and say, ‘Look, my title’s on the bag. I’m not joking with you.”
“You suck, ya jackass!”
It’s the favourite barb of a very efficient heckler within the film, however the real-life Gilmore has by no means heard something almost as unhealthy on the tee.
Whereas no stranger to the occasional shout from the group, the junior golfer is but to expertise something apart from light-hearted jibes at occasions. His private favourite got here throughout his freshman yr when Gilmore, uncharacteristically nervous at a state event, heard after his opening tee shot: “Go get em’ Shooter!” a nod to the movie’s lead villain, Shooter McGavin.
In contrast to his film counterpart, Gilmore doesn’t have a {golfing} nemesis, however the pleasant jeer was equally motivating.
“It made me giggle and helped me get somewhat relaxed,” Gilmore recalled. “I hear stuff like that on a regular basis.”
nd sure, he can recreate the film’s iconic swing – which entails a future as much as the tee.
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When he was youthful, he would apply it for enjoyable. These days although, he’s requested so regularly to show he can replicate his namesake’s approach that he works on it out of necessity.
But bar the swing and the title, Gilmore is hard-pressed to search out many different similarities between himself and Sandler’s character. In truth, he believes he’s just about the other – on and off the inexperienced.
“If I’ve ever been mad at one thing, I can simply go play golf on my own and calm down,” he mentioned.
“I’d prefer to assume I’m a greater putter than he’s. We each can’t skate that effectively in hockey although, we do have that (in frequent).”
Assembly Sandler could be a dream, however Gilmore has one aspiration that has lengthy taken priority above all others – to make it professional.
Beginning on the US Youngsters Tour, usually decked out within the shiny orange colours favored by his idol Rickie Fowler, Gilmore has performed on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) and GolfWeek Junior Excursions lately.
Topped the Nationwide Hurricane Participant of the 12 months in 2020, he has picked up extra accolades throughout his highschool profession, making the Indiana All-State workforce for the second successive yr in his sophomore season.
In July, he’ll tee off at Torrey Pines having certified for the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships, however probably the most eagerly anticipated occasion on his calendar will are available April, when Gilmore will strive as soon as extra to qualify for the US Open.
When Gilmore tried qualification for the primary time in Could 2022, enjoying near house at Previous Oakland Nation Membership, in Indianapolis, he believes he was the youngest of the 84-strong discipline battling it out for simply 5 spots.
Yearly, hundreds of golfers compete at qualifying tournaments throughout the nation to attempt to make it to the key.
A nightmare begin noticed Gilmore open with a double bogey, however after 4 straight pars, he arrived on the sixth gap feeling settled. Then, catastrophe struck.
Ball one: “The worst shot” of his life, skews out of bounds. Ball two: Appears to be like excellent, however by no means discovered, again to tee. Ball three: Smacks overhanging department and drops into the water.
Onto his fourth ball and nonetheless on the tee field, with any hopes of qualification all however extinguished, his lifelong buddy and caddie was available with a reference from one other 1996 traditional golf film, “Tin Cup,” that broke the strain.
“He checked out me and he simply goes, ‘Boy, if you go down, you go down in flames,’” recalled Gilmore, who finally tapped in for 10.
“I bear in mind I used to be nonetheless laughing on the inexperienced.”
A rejuvenated Gilmore shot 3-under throughout the rest of the occasion to complete 8-over 80, tied fiftieth and 11 pictures in need of the highest-scoring qualifier.
Learn extra: What does it take to win the Open?
With the expertise beneath his belt, he’s feeling assured forward of his second try.
“Whenever you’re going into it for the primary time, it’s bizarre since you don’t know the way the setup goes to be, you don’t know the way individuals act, you actually don’t know something that’s happening apart from the golf half,” he mentioned.
“This yr, with out having any of that new, I’ll be extra snug. I believe I’ve a reasonably good shot at it.”