Herlihy’s freshman roommate at New York University was a young comedian eager to launch his career: Adam Sandler. But he didn’t have any jokes. “He thought he was just going to go up there and be charming or something,” Herlihy told the Times Union.

The release of “ Happy Gilmore 2 ,” the Netflix sequel to the 1996 comedy hit, is just days away. While Hollywood hot shots might be sweating audience awareness polls or gauging social media chatter, Tim Herlihy — who co-wrote both films with star Adam Sandler — has a more pressing concern: catching up with yard work at his quiet Connecticut home.

Considering past misbegotten sequels to Adam Sandler movies like Grown Ups 2 and Murder Mystery 2, I am not quite sure why it took the star three long decades to fire up one for arguably his best comedy and most memorable character,