Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club (left) in New Jersey has been selected as the main filming location for the sequel to “Happy Gilmore.”
IG: @fiddlerselbowcc; getty images
Details for the long-awaited Sequel to Happy Gilmore. have been few and far between, but one notable development has come to light this week: the film’s main filming location.
According to a memorandum from the trustees of Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, NJ, their sprawling club about 40 miles west of New York City has been chosen “as the location to shoot most of the scenes in the movie.”
The 433-word correspondence, a copy of which was obtained by GOLF.com, does not cite the film by name, but GOLF.com has confirmed that the filming referenced is for the rest of “Happy Gilmore,” 1996 cult classic golf comedy starring and co-written by Adam Sandler. That the sequel, which Netflix is producing, will be filmed in New Jersey isn’t surprising, given that its talent scouts held an open call for extras at a hotel in nearby Morristown last month.
“Earlier this summer, the club was contacted by Netflix, who were looking for a location to film a movie,” begins the memo, which Fiddler’s membership received Thursday afternoon. “After weeks of visits, discussions and negotiations, we are pleased to report that Netflix has chosen Fiddler’s Elbow as the site to film most of the scenes in the movie.”
A source told GOLF.com that the crew is expected to begin shooting in early October.
Fiddler’s Ebow was opened in 1965 with 27 holes; It has since expanded to house three 18-hole layout courses (River, Meadow and Forest), all of which will serve as settings in the film, administrators said. According to the memo, the front nine of the Meadow course “will experience more extensive changes and filming. Club staff and management are working hard to reroute the holes and provide the best possible experience. Plans are constantly evolving but, at this point, it seems likely that we will close three holes for the remainder of the season and one additional hole fortnightly.”
The memo continues: “The club views the filming of this film the same as other clubs do when hosting PGA/LPGA tour events. Membership should endure a short period of downtime for a lifetime of memories and the pride of knowing your club was chosen over many other choices. Total time on property will be approximately two months while filming will last four to five weeks. We will be extending the golf season at Forest Course to better accommodate the membership.
“Please remember that you will recognize famous faces at the property. They are here to work, so autographs and photos may not be possible. Also, while you may want to take pictures of the club during this time, Netflix mandates that nothing be posted on social media prior to the film’s premiere.”
Aside from Sandler’s, it’s unclear whose famous faces might grace the property. Apparently some of the original cast – including Christopher McDonald, who played the deliciously smarmy McGavin shooter in the original “Gilmore” and announced the news of the sequel in a radio interview in March – will be back. Sandler also let it slip in interviews last month that the Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce will appear in the film along with some professional players.
‘Happy Gilmore’ sequel ‘in the works’, according to one of the original film’s stars
Also largely unknown: the sequel’s plot, though Sandler did show Travis and Jason Kelce their “New Heights” podcast last month that the film “takes from an old guy who’s been playing golf for a long time. Some things continue in his life – he is a little, he is different. He is a bit of a mess when he meets Happy. And then we try to give the cooking its life again.”
The film’s 2025 release (a yet-to-be-announced date) will coincide with Fiddler’s 60th anniversary.
“We are planning a year’s worth of events to commemorate this milestone,” the trustees wrote in the memo. “Of course, the slate of events will include a special, complimentary party featuring the film’s premiere next summer! In the end, we want the shared experience to be something we can all look back on with pride and smiles for many years to come.”
