The 'Happy Gilmore' sequel will film at this New Jersey golf club, a memo revealed

Details about the highly anticipated sequel to “Happy Gilmore” are scarce, but one notable thing has emerged this week: the main filming location.

According to a memo from management at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, NJ, their sprawling club 40 miles west of New York City has been selected as “the location for many of the movie's scenes.”

The 433-word communication, a copy of which was obtained by GOLF.com, does not name the movie but GOLF.com has confirmed that the movie in question is a sequel to “Happy Gilmore,” the 1996 cult golf classic. comedy starring and co-written by Adam Sandler. That the sequel, produced by Netflix, will be filmed in New Jersey comes as no surprise since talent scouts held an open call for more at a Morristown hotel 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 site visits, interviews, and discussions we are pleased to report that Netflix has chosen Fiddler's Elbow as the location to film the majority of the film's scenes.”

A source told GOLF.com that crews are expected to begin shooting in early October.

Fiddler's Elbow opened in 1965 with 27 holes; It has since expanded to three control houses with 18 holes (River, Meadow and Forest), all of which will serve as settings in the movie, trustees said. According to the memo, the front 9 of the Meadow course “will receive extensive changes and filming. The club's staff and management are working hard to renovate the holes and provide the best experience possible. Plans are always evolving but, for now, it looks like we will close three holes for the rest of the season and an additional hole for two weeks. “

The memo continues: “The club is watching the filming of this film like other clubs when they host PGA/LPGA tour events. Membership must endure the short-term disruption of lifelong memories and the pride of knowing that your club was chosen over many other options. The total construction time will be about two months while filming will last four to five weeks. We will be extending the golf season at the Forest Course to better accommodate the membership.

“Please remember that you will be able to see famous people in the area. 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 before the movie starts. “

Aside from Sandler, it's unclear who else's famous face might grace the site. Most of the original cast members — including Christopher McDonald, who played the sweet-shooting McGavin in the original “Gilmore” and spilled the beans about the sequel in a March radio interview — will return. Sandler also dropped rumors last month that Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce would appear in the film along with several professional golfers.

Also unknown: the plot of the sequel, although Sandler told Travis and Jason Kelce on their “New Heights” podcast last month that the movie is “taking place around an older guy who's been playing golf for a long time. Other things are going on in her life — she's young, she's different. He gets confused when you meet Happy. Then we try to cook his life again.”

The film's 2025 release (and date has yet to be announced) will coincide with Fiddler's 60th anniversary.

“We are planning events to be held throughout the year to remember this incident,” the trustees wrote in the memo. “Of course, the list of events will include a special, exciting party showing the film's premiere next summer! Ultimately we want the shared experience to be something we can all look back on with pride and smiles for years to come.”

Alan Bastable

Golf.com Editor

As editor-in-chief of GOLF.com, Bastable is responsible for the editorial direction and voice of one of the game's most respected and heavily trafficked news and services outlets. He wears many hats – planning, writing, imagining, developing, dreaming up one day he breaks 80 – and feels privileged to work with an insanely smart and hard-working team of writers, editors and producers. Before taking over GOLF.com, he was the features editor at GOLF Magazine. A graduate of the University of Richmond and the Columbia School of Journalism, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and four children.