Movies

The Story Behind the Real Person Who Inspired Happy Gilmore

BBG News

Ever since it was announced that a sequel was coming out in May of last year, fans have been eagerly waiting for Happy Gilmore‘s eccentric golf style to make its comeback. It’s almost three decades since the original movie struck gold at the box office with its memorable dialogue, outrageous appearances (like Bob Barker’s iconic fight scene), and unusual sports underdog tale. Now, Adam Sandler is reprising his role as the golfing rebel in “Happy Gilmore 2“, set to premiere on Netflix on July 25.

In the sequel of the movie, set many years after Happy achieved golf stardom, we find that his life has undergone significant transformation since the last time we met him. Now a father to five nearly grown children, and having faced several challenging life situations that caused him to retire from golf, Happy’s return to the course is not motivated by saving his grandmother’s home—it’s to fund his gifted daughter’s costly dance classes in Paris. The goals may have shifted, but the determination and grind remain unchanged.

Using his distinctive attitude and unique playing style, Happy challenges a fresh wave of competitors, renews friendships with past companions, and demonstrates he’s as dynamic as ever in stirring up the golfing community once more.

When the character once again becomes a prominent topic in pop culture conversations, it’s worth revisiting the backstory that some fans may not recall or be aware of: namely, that the concept for the goofy and temperamental golfer was born from Sandler’s own childhood experiences. Here is the tale of Kyle McDonough, the long-time friend who served as the foundation for a legendary character.

The making of Happy Gilmore

In 1995, production for “Happy Gilmore” began, following Adam Sandler’s successful five-year stint on “Saturday Night Live”. During this time, he gained popularity for his humorous characters such as “Canteen Boy” and “Opera Man”. Although he had minor roles in films previously, it was the surprising success of the 1995 film “Billy Madison”, which he co-wrote with Tim Herlihy, that marked Sandler’s emergence as a prominent comedic leading actor on the big screen.

In refining a successful formula, Sandler and Herlihy intensified the “man-child” persona as depicted by Madison, focusing on a character whose childish behavior, volatile temper, and endearing quirkiness became defining aspects of Adam Sandler’s screen presence. Their writing style frequently entailed brainstorming straightforward, humorous ideas and developing characters based on peculiar premises or single-joke concepts that could grow into something deeper.

The movie drew inspiration from sources both anticipated, such as the golf humor film “Caddyshack”, and less expected genre tributes. Characters like Carl Weathers’ Chubbs Peterson, a retired one-handed golfer who lost his other hand to an alligator, carried visual and thematic echoes of Weathers’ past role in “Predator”.

However, before the various factors came into being, there was McDonough, Sandler’s childhood friend who might not have led to the creation of the character Happy Gilmore.

Kyle McDonough’s hockey-infused golf swing

In his sixth year, Sandler relocated from Brooklyn, his hometown, to New Hampshire. It was there that he befriended McDonough, and the duo subsequently played hockey as teammates on their high school squad.

McDonough hails from a lineage steeped in the sport of ice hockey. His dad, Hubie McDonough Jr., was a high school hockey coach, while his sibling, Hubie III, had an impressive 13-year stint as a professional player, representing teams like the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Islanders.

Despite focusing mainly on ice skating, McDonough’s skills remarkably translated to the golf course, allowing him to drive golf balls impressively, often surpassing more technically proficient opponents with just his hockey strength.

In a state of amazement, Sandler’s father uttered five words that became iconic, hinting at the comedic potential within McDonough: “There’s definitely humor hidden inside.

The influence of Stanley Sandler

Back in 1996, I found myself learning the art of golf under Weathers’ Peterson, much like how Sandler’s dad would teach him.

Over the course of his career, Adam Sandler frequently discusses the substantial impact his father, Stanley, had on him. An enthusiastic golfer, Stanley would regularly take young Adam to the driving range, fostering a strong bond between them through their shared love for the sport. After observing McDonough play hockey, it was Stanley who noticed that hockey players have an exceptional knack for applying their skills to golf as well.

Influence from his expertise in golf also impacted Adam Sandler’s son’s creative endeavors, especially when it came to designing golf scenes for the movie “Happy Gilmore.” Given Stanley’s deep understanding of the sport, Sandler and Herlihy, who collaborated again on “Happy Gilmore 2,” would often consult him as an informal fact-checker during scriptwriting to guarantee the authenticity of their screenplay.

Last year, during an episode of the Kelce brothers’ “New Heights” podcast, a comedian or filmmaker shared that they would often consult their dad about the logic behind certain things, asking questions like “does this sound reasonable?” and “what are you thinking when you putt?”. The famous line “It’s all in the hips” from Chubb to Happy was actually derived from one of those conversations between father and son.

Those lines weren’t just meant for laughter; they stemmed from genuine memories, which added an emotional depth to the humor that struck a chord both on and off the screen. The fact that Sandler’s father’s legacy influenced golf legend Jack Nicklaus to appear as himself in the sequel gave it additional significance.

In an interview last year with Dan Patrick, Sandler shared that he had spoken to Nicklaus on the phone a few weeks prior to filming, which triggered memories of his childhood and the significant role Nicklaus played in his father’s life.

Where is McDonough now?

In the initial movie, Happy found it challenging to secure a spot on the hockey team. Contrastingly, McDonaugh’s achievements are something that Happy’s character from the storyline could only fantasize about.

In my college years at the University of Vermont, I shone brightly, earning a spot as a three-time ECAC All-Star and a first-team All-American in 1989. My contributions were instrumental in leading our team to its inaugural NCAA tournament appearance in 1988 and our sole ECAC Division I title game appearance the following year in 1989. For three out of my four years there, I proudly wore the captain’s armband and led the team in scoring.

After completing his college years, McDonough continued his athletic journey on the international stage, competing in professional leagues throughout Europe for a total of 11 seasons. During this time, he represented various teams such as those from Denmark, Sweden, and Scotland.

In the year 2000, during his final season with Frisk Asker Ice Hockey team in Norway, he achieved his most significant triumph. Looking back, McDonough stated, “Hockey has given me countless wonderful moments, but winning the Norwegian Elite series title in my last year would definitely rank among the very best.

His achievements earned him a spot in not only the University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame but also the New Hampshire Hockey Legends Hall. After retiring from playing professional hockey, McDonough followed in his father’s footsteps by coaching at both the high school and college level.

McDonough is acknowledged as the source of inspiration for the character Happy, and Sandler’s friendship with McDonugh has persisted throughout their shared Hollywood journey. In a conversation with British Ice Hockey, McDonough stated, “I’ve attended numerous movie sets and even some Super Bowls with him, and he always ensures everything is taken care of while treating his longtime friends like royalty.

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2025-07-25 15:07

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