Adam Sandler celebrates 'Happy Gilmore' 25th anniversary by nailing drive and calling out Shooter McGavin

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Adam Sandler proved that he's still handy with a golf club on Tuesday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his classic sports comedy "Happy Gilmore." 

In the 1996 movie, one of Sandler's earliest breakout hits, he stars as Happy, an awkward and violent ice hockey player who discovers that he has a talent for golf and decides to join the PGA tour, much to the annoyance of the tour's professional players. 

In a brief video posted to Twitter, Sandler recreated his character's famous long golf drive. Before striking the ball, he says: "It's been 25 years since I've done this. Let's see what happens. I'm scared," before launching the golf ball with a powerful shot.

"And I am not lying to you: that is smashed. Smashed. That went pretty well," he said as the ball flies away. Sandler ends the short clip by approaching the camera saying: "You're dead, Shooter," referencing Happy Gilmore's arch-nemesis, the fictional golf pro Shooter McGavin played by Christopher McDonald. 

 

Shortly after Sandler posted his video, Christopher McDonald responded in character as Shooter McGavin with his own satirical tribute. "Nice drive, Gilmore! 25 years, huh? Let's see if it's Shooter's tour," the actor said before he used a drinking glass at home to show off his own putting abilities. 

"Check it out. Oh, yeah. It's all about the short game," he said. 

"Happy Gilmore" also starred Julie Bowen who played the role of Happy's love interest, Virginia Venit. The movie was Sandler's first big box-office success taking home $41.2 million worldwide. Although at the time, like most Sandler movies, it received mixed reviews from critics. But the film has grown to become a cult favorite and an Adam Sandler classic. 

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