- The Washington Times - Saturday, April 23, 2016

The weekends often mean golf for President Obama, and Saturday was no exception during his stay in London.

After touring the Globe Theater and hosting a town hall in the city, the president headed 18 miles north to The Grove, an exquisite and historic golf course, luxury hotel and spa in the rolling green hills of Hertfordshire.

His partner, the White House revealed, is none other than British Prime Minister David Cameron.

“President Obama’s motorcade made its way through the streets of London and headed north on the M1 motorway before arriving in Hertfordshire. During our hour-long drive, the motorcade passed by Hyde Park, Abbey Road and an assortment of other London destinations,” reporter Colleen McCain Nelson, a Wall Street Journal reporter serving as the White House “pool” source.

“The president, though, is opting for a round of golf in the suburbs. He will be golfing today at The Grove golf course.”

The Grove is no ordinary course, however. This is an immaculate and championship course, and site of the British Open tournament later this year. Built on 300 acres surrounding an 18th-century mansion, the site is the former home of the Earls of Clarendon over the years. The weather was chilly, a mere 52 degrees.

“By my count, this first round of golf abroad is Pres Obama’s 286th round in office,” tweeted CBS News correspondent Mark Knoller, who has faithfully tracked the president’s golf habits since he took office.

But golf is golf, and the green was calling. The play-by-play, as per the White House:

“Cameron missed a long putt and showed little reaction. Obama squatted down to size up his much shorter putt. The president’s putt looked to be on line as it zipped across the green, but it then rolled around the hole and right back out.”

“A loud ’oh!’ was the collective response from Obama and Cameron. ’Did you see that?’ Obama yelled. ’Robbed’.”

The two are scheduled to dine later at the U.S. Ambassador’s home in London.

• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.

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