Smiles all round... Obama drops in for tee and turns on the charm
IT was more clubhouse than White House when Barack Obama made a surprise visit to the home of golf yesterday.
The former American president was already dressed in his golf gear when his plane touched down at Edinburgh airport at around 8am.
He headed immediately to St Andrews, Fife, where he spent the day on the Old Course.
It was the first visit to Scotland for Mr Obama, who left his former official residence in January, to be replaced by President Donald Trump.
His surprise tee-off prompted thousands of local golfers, residents and tourists to line the 18th hole of the public course to take a peek at the former world leader.
Surrounded by 20 security guards and protected by police marksmen, Mr Obama played to the gallery and was allowed to hold the famous Claret Jug, quipping ‘if only I had the game to match it’. Mr Obama flew to Scotland to address business leaders in the capital at a charity dinner organised by The Hunter Foundation last night.
Philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter joined the former president on the golf course. He said: ‘He played great.
‘I don’t play golf so I was simply doing the drinks and driving the buggy, but it was great fun. There was a lot of interest, but he was pretty relaxed and spoke to everybody. Who wouldn’t enjoy Scotland on a day like this? It’s brilliant to have him here.’
Mr Hunter said he had wanted to get Mr Obama to Scotland since watching his inauguration as president in 2009.
He said: ‘I was just blown away by his speech and his message of hope. This event is all about having an inspirational speaker and, with regards to fundraising, we’re hopefully going to help about 300 children’s charities.’
Profits will be split between children’s charities in Scotland and the Obama Foundation, set up by the former president and his wife Michelle.
Singer Annie Lennox, rock band Texas and comedian Kevin Bridges will provide entertainment and Mila Stricevic, 13, from Glasgow will read a poem after winning a school competition.
With the temperature soaring, the party stopped for refreshments. Mr Obama declined the offer of an Irn-Bru, opting instead for a Lipton Iced Tea.
Donna Fortin, 47, from Coconut Creek in Florida was in Scotland for a golfing holiday. She said: ‘All the time he was our president I never got to see him and then he just appears here in St Andrews. It was great to see him so relaxed and clearly enjoying himself.’
‘He was relaxed and spoke to everyone’