When US President Barack Obama Played The Old Course at St Andrews

Everyone wants to play the Old Course at least once. During the past couple of years alone, the likes of Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have all been among the famous names who have played a round in St Andrews outside of tournaments like the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Even Rory McIlroy enjoyed a recreational afternoon on the iconic links back in the summer ahead of participating in the Paris Olympics.

But when I think back on the days when a little extra stardust was sprinkled on these legendary fairways, there is one date that will forever be printed in my mind as being truly special.

That was the 26th of May in 2017 when former US president Barack Obama left his mark on the spiritual Home of Golf.

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Having departed the Oval Office that January, the 44th president of the United States had been invited by Scottish philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter to be a guest speaker at a major charity dinner in Edinburgh and small rumours had begun to circulate around town that Mr Obama (a keen golfer) could make an appearance up the road in Fife to a play a round.

That week, I was a point of contact for a group of American visitors in their late 60s who had won a dream golf package holiday with Golfshake's travel partners, Golfbreaks. I met them in their hotel, photographed their round on the Old Course and ensured that they felt welcome during their time in St Andrews.

All delightful people who had unexpectedly won this prize trip of a lifetime, three of the four were Democrats, and they could barely contain their excitement when I shared the news that Obama might be in town on Friday, which was their last full day before heading home during the weekend.

But no one could be certain until the moment that he arrived that morning that the first African-American president in history would actually be there. Rumours, after all, are notoriously unreliable, and some things sound just too good to be true, especially when you saw the weather forecast.

It was a balmy, spectacular day, with unbroken sunshine and temperatures reaching 26C (78.8F). St Andrews couldn't have looked any better when Obama - playing under a pseudonym and accompanied by a security detail - stepped onto the first tee before the Royal & Ancient Clubhouse, much to the shock of those passersby you typically see wandering around the venue on a daily basis.

Back in 1946, World War Two general and future president Dwight D. Eisenhower skipped the first hole due to nerves, which just proves that even a man who led the liberation of Western Europe can be relatable to most of us.

The images of Obama hitting his opening tee shot - which was better than most of the ones I have played there - were quickly screened on lunchtime news in Scotland.

Once word spread, the crowds gathered, some walking around the course for a glimpse of a man who, regardless of your political beliefs, is undeniably one of the most consequential and recognisable international figures of this century.

(Crowds Gather at The Road Hole)

Most people assembled at the 17th and 18th holes, framing the landscape in huge numbers that resembled the closing stages of an Open Championship. It must have been a surreal experience for those golfers playing in the groups ahead of the former president, who had to play their shots in view of a gallery that totalled in the thousands.

I was among those spectators, making sure that I had a prime spot in the front of the line, being as close to Obama as possible as he crossed the Golfers' Bridge over the Swilcan Burn.

(Former President Barack Obama Poses For Pictures)

Having long been a student of American history and politics, this was a significant event to witness. I was a 16-year-old high school pupil when Obama was first elected to the presidency and it was impossible not to be caught up in the moment of that time or be captivated by his oratory skills as he gave the world a sense of renewed hope.

Among this mass of humanity who had gathered beneath the sunshine, you could easily spot the Secret Service agents in their dark suits and shades, while the rooftops of the Old Course Hotel and Hamilton Grand were clad with snipers who were gazing down on the crowd. This was not a place for quick, uncertain or threatening movements, but the environment was nonetheless festive and joyous.

(Former President Barack Obama on The 18th Green)

A left-hander, Obama strode up the 18th fairway to rapturous applause. He putted out on the final green - as so many renowned individuals had done before - and waved warmly to the townspeople and visitors who had come to see him. I was in awe. I've been lucky to see the likes of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson play that hole. During my schooldays I was in the vicinity of both Queen Elizabeth II and the future King Charles III at events. But nothing compared to this. Not even close.

Soon, he was back in a car and departed as part of a motorcade of vehicles that drove up Golf Place and disappeared from view as the former president made his way to the capital of Scotland for his evening engagement.

(The Motorcade Prepares to Leave)

Commenting afterward, Obama joked: "They tell me the weather is like this all the time here. 

"But seriously the Old Course is absolutely glorious. It has been a great thrill to be able to come and play here at the Home of Golf for the first time. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to St Andrews Links for hosting us."

That evening, I was reunited with the American prize winners, who missed the whole thing as they were taken to spend a day at Gleneagles. It was left to me to share the pictures and describe the scenes, much to their fascination. While they were disappointed to miss him in person, just being in St Andrews on the same day as Obama meant something to them.

We bumped into another American golfer, who had been on the course at the same time as Obama, and who had crossed paths with the former president on one of the shared fairways of the Old Course, shaking hands and exchanging a few pleasantries with him. This gentleman was still beaming hours later. 

I couldn't be certain of his political affiliation, but it was clear that the office of the presidency and that chance encounter at the grandest stage in golf was deeply meaningful. He left St Andrews with the story of a lifetime.

Reflecting now, all these years later, everyone who was present that day stepped away with a tale to tell as the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, etched his own little piece of folklore into the fabric of the Auld Grey Toun.

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