Obama golf game upsets Hawaii wedding plans

President Barack Obama's passion for golf forced two US army officers to relocate their sun-kissed Hawaiian wedding at the last minute. But Obama, seen here (above) on Dec 24, 2014, called them to offer his congratulations and to apologise for any in
President Barack Obama's passion for golf forced two US army officers to relocate their sun-kissed Hawaiian wedding at the last minute. But Obama, seen here (above) on Dec 24, 2014, called them to offer his congratulations and to apologise for any inconvenience. -- PHOTO: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama's passion for golf forced two US army officers to relocate their sun-kissed Hawaiian wedding at the last minute.

Captains Natalie Heimel and Edward Mallue were all set to tie the knot on Sunday at the Kaneohe Klipper golf course, located on a US Marine Corps base.

But then they learnt that Mr Obama was scheduled to hit the links at the same time they'd be exchanging vows.

Within 24 hours, they relocated the ceremony to the bucolic lawn of the base commander's residence, overlooking the Pacific.

There the newlyweds took a cellphone call from the Commander-in-Chief, who expressed congratulations and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

"Obama just personally called my sister and her new husband to apologise for foiling their wedding venue golfing. Amazing!" said Capt Heimel's sister on Twitter.

The phone call "totally made their day", Ms Becca Dryer, a friend of the bride who also attended the wedding, told the New York Daily News.

Mr Obama has been on holiday in Hawaii, his native state, for nine days, during which he has played golf six times, the newspaper noted.

On Christmas Eve, he played a round with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

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