President Obama crashes wedding after round at ’08 Open host Torrey Pines
President Obama found himself a great 19th hole after wrapping up a round on Sunday at the South Course of Torrey Pines, the 2008 U.S. Open host near San Diego.
After Obama played a round with the same hole locations Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate, among others, faced in the final round seven-plus years ago, accoding to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the 44th President of the United States made his way toward the Hilton hotel lining the par-5 finisher of the South Course. The Commander-in-Chief noticed some kind of celebration in one of the hotel’s lawn areas, which turned out to be a crowd gathered for a wedding that was yet to start.
Obama came over and started shaking hands with the guests, but the yet-to-be-married bride and groom, Stephanie and Brian Tobe, were sequestered in the hotel as they prepared for the ceremony. One of the two wedding photographers was on the lawn area and radioed to the other in the hotel about what was happening. Not to be denied, the Tobes made their way down from the hotel to meet Obama, who shook theirs hands and posed for photos, delivering well wishes.
“Once I heard that that there might be an opportunity to even just say hi, shake his hand or even try to take a picture, we darted,” Stephanie said to ABC News. “We ran to the closest elevator, got downstairs and I picked up my huge dress and I just started running across the lawn to get over to the president.”
Torrey Pines head pro Joe DeBock tried to compare the buzz around Woods’ 14th — and, to date, final — major win and Obama’s appearance.
“There are only two people who can create this much excitement here,” DeBock said. “The president and Tiger Woods. I love Tiger, but it was easier to meet the president.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
