President Barack Obama is teeing off
his Martha's Vineyard vacation with his favorite pastime - golfing. But
he had a rough start, as reporters - given a rare glimpse of the
president's golf game - watched him overshoot the first hole by about 15 feet.
He then missed his first putt and reacted by leaning
back, kicking his knee up and letting out an 'Ooooh.' His next putt was also a miss and his third finally made it in the hole.
Obama
hit the Farm Neck Golf Club for his first outing of a weeklong stay on
the exclusive Massachusetts island where he arrived Saturday afternoon.
The course is open to the public and overlooks Nantucket Sound.
Obama (right) lines up his putt on the first green at the Farm Neck Golf Club at Oak Bluffs on Marthas Vineyard
President Barack Obama putts on the first hole at Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs
The president was golfing Sunday with aide
Marvin Nicholson, White House chef Sam Kass and Robert Wolf, a Wall
Street consultant who has advised him on financial matters
President Barack Obama steers his cart while golfing at Farm Neck Golf Club. He will be in Martha's Vineyard for eight days
President Barack Obama waves to a group of on-lookers. Obama
regularly vacations on the island, but is staying for the first time at
the $7.6 million Chilmark home of Chicago friend David Schulte
The White House says Obama plans no official
public appearances but will receive daily briefings on national security
and domestic issues
The president was golfing Sunday with
aide Marvin Nicholson, White House chef Sam Kass and Robert Wolf, a
Wall Street consultant who has advised him on financial matters.
Obama
regularly vacations on the island, but is staying for the first time at
the $7.6 million Chilmark home of Chicago pal David Schulte.
The
White House says Obama plans no official public appearances but will
receive daily briefings on national security and domestic issues.
Getting
on the plane from Orlando the Obama's sported a smart look with the
President donning a suit and Michelle Obama meticulously attired with
pearls and a belt around her sun dress.
However,
when the first couple disembarked in Martha's Vineyard they were ready
for their vacation to start, as Obama had changed into a pair of chinos
and Michelle ditched the pearls and belt.
Before: President Barack Obama and first lady
Michelle Obama wave goodbye as they leave Orlando for a family vacation
at Martha's Vineyard
Vacation time: Looking more comfortable the
President traded his suit for a button down and pair of khakis, while
the first lady removed her proper pearls
Tranquil: Floor to ceiling windows look out across the ocean
The First Family have been
vacationing on the Vineyard for years, but this is the first time they
will stay at the luxury four-bedroom Chilmark House designed by
architect Rick Sundberg.
With
wall-to-ceiling windows, the 5,000sq ft home has stunning views over
the ocean, as well as an infinity pool, tennis courts and a half
basketball court.
Half
the cost of the President's holiday is met by the taxpayer, and the
Obamas pay for the remainder, although they have met the full cost of
the vacation home, which is owned by private equity expert David
Schulte, according to Bloomberg.
Mr Schulte contributed to both of the President's election campaigns and his run for the Senate.
Looking presidential: The President and first
lady are dressed to the nine's as they leave the White House for
Orlando, Florida where they addressed the Disabled American Veterans
National Convention
Bo came too!: Bo, the First Family's Portuguese
waterdog, departs a Marine helicopter, as US President Obama and the
First Lady landed at Martha's Vineyard
Ready to run: Bo, President Barack Obama's dog arrived with the first family in Martha's Vineyard for the President's vacation
It is not known how much the Obamas paid
to stay at the house, which was found for them by their broker who
specializes in finding vacation homes for prominent politicians and
royalty who have specific security needs.
He
has previously found rentals for the Clintons and also found the Blue
Heron Farm where the Obamas previously stayed for years, until it was
sold to a British architect for $22.4 million.
A
property expert in the town of Vineyard Haven told MailOnline that
Chilmark House would 'likely run in the $40,000 to $60,000 range for the
eight-day stay.'
It is
estimated the cost of the entire vacation, including the 75 rooms booked
at a nearby hotel for staff and security, could reach $2 million.
Holiday home: The Obamas are staying at a $7.6 million vacation house in Martha's Vineyard
Private: The home is set in nine and a half acres and has a guest house that could house secret service agents
Exclusive: The luxury home will be the perfect place for the First Family to relax and entertain friends
Lush: Chilmark House is set on the coast and comes with an infinity pool and tennis courts
The Obamas' vacation home is on the
south coast of the Massachusetts elite playground, which is favored for
visitors who need extra security.
At the entrance of the home, which
was built in 1961 and renovated in 2006, is a giant bolder left by a
retreating glacier in the Ice Age, according to Sundberg Kennedy Ly-Au
Young Architects.
A
guest house set in its nine and a half acres of gardens could be used
by secret service agents, who will accompany the family.
With
the President's approval rating at 46 per cent, according to Gallup,
there has been criticism that his decision to vacation in such an elite
spot is insensitive, according to the Huffington Post.
When
he was seeking reelection last year, he skipped the family's usual
vacation, but this year he plans to play golf with friends and relax
with Michelle and his daughters.
Natural: A boulder left by a glacier in the Ice Age is next to the entrance of the Rick Sundberg-designed house
Source:Dailymail
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