With an acting debut and successes in both golf and wave-riding, 2025 has been a good year for Levi Reilly.

In a house filled with family and friends, cheers erupt as Levi Reilly appears on a big screen as ‘Preppy Golf Kid’ in the movie Happy Gilmore 2. The scene shows Reilly demonstrating a powerful golf swing to some young rookies before he says, “Follow that!” Reilly is 16 years old, and the swarm of kids tackle him in a frenzied rush. On-screen the action appears feisty and loud, but on the set, when filming cut, it was all smiles and giggles.

In addition to his acting debut, it was a busy year for Reilly at Los Alamitos High School, where he was the MVP of the surf team. He and his friend, Evan Brown, were co-MVPs of the golf team, and Reilly was the boys golf MVP in the Sunset League, a particularly impressive feat as a freshman.

Reilly has always enjoyed surfing, which is no surprise, as his father, Mike, surfed professionally. Reilly’s older sister, Reese, has been the MVP of the girls surf team at Los Alamitos for three years running, and his two younger sisters excel at surfing and volleyball. Their parents are very supportive.

“For Levi, we will do anything to give him a chance to succeed and play college golf,” shares Mike. “Regarding lessons or resources that he wants to help him progress, we do everything we can, but what he does is up to him.”

Literally and figuratively, they are helping get him to tournaments, competitions or wherever else he needs to be.

Golf is what Levi works hardest at, though he started playing a few years after he started surfing. “I want to go to college for golf, that’s definitely the main goal,” says Reilly. “With golf, I mostly like being with friends and the little competitions, they’re always fun.”

He and his buddies play local municipal courses near Long Beach, including Reilly’s favorite, Recreation Park GC 18, affectionately known as Big Rec.

“That’s pretty much been my home course my whole life,” says Reilly. Designed in 1910 by Billy Bell, this historical course has a 6,400-yard, par-72 layout. The fairways are Kikuyu, and the greens are a Bentgrass-Poa mix. The setup is fun and engaging, great for learning the game.

Reilly became an SCGA member years ago, and a family friend told him and his parents about the SCGA Junior Player & Youth Development programs hosted at the Don Knabe Golf Center. Reilly participated in the SCGA golf tournaments, and he performed well. Those events provided him and his friends with another competitive outlet.

It’s tough to keep up with Reilly, though, as his handicap is currently a plus-1. His private golf coach, Troy Grant, shared this on social media: “I’ve been coaching Levi since day one at six years old, and seeing the young man he’s become — on and off the course — makes me proud beyond words. For me, it’s been incredible to watch how his hard work, focus and patience — and just staying true to the process — have really paid off. That’s been the key to his growth.”

Also helping Reilly grow is the fact that surfing and golf are complementary disciplines, both becoming more popular during the pandemic as outdoor sports everyone could enjoy. Beaches and courses saw an influx of new surfers and golfers who were seeking ways to safely engage in recreation. Five years later, it’s possible those surges may have peaked, but the two avocations are more closely linked than ever by the crossover enthusiasts in SoCal.

Balance, both mental and physical, are integral to the success of athletes in both sports, and though there are team competitions, it’s essentially you and the wave, or you and the course. You perform as an individual. Both sports are outdoors, and the variable elements are simply part of it.

I’ve been coaching Levi since day one at six years old, and seeing the young man he’s become — on and off the course — makes me proud beyond words.” – Troy Grant, Golf Coach

For Reilly, it helps that surf competitions are in the fall and golf is a spring sport. To maintain his skills for both, Reilly surfs before school and plays golf after classes.

“Golf is my main sport, but surfing always makes me feel good,” says Reilly. “Surfing is like a mental break. I also spend time studying because I will need good grades to get into college, so studying is another priority.”

Reilly is thinking he would like to stay in SoCal for college, and will entertain ideas about turning pro later. For golf he is sponsored by Cobra and Puma, and IPD International and Kanvas by Katin Surf Shop also support him.

When he was acting, Reilly said “follow that,” but in real life he is following his interests: golf and surfing. With sponsors, coaches, friends and family all cheering him on, who knows where Reilly’s athleticism, focus and surf-and-turf balance will lead him next? For now, he’s enjoying life, and riding the wave wherever it takes him.