Obama bogey hits nuptials off golf course

Barack Obama.

A military couple who planned to get married on a Hawaii golf course had to move their ceremony at 24 hours' notice when United States President Barack Obama decided he wanted to play a round, it has emerged.

Natalie Heimel and Edward Mallue, both captains in the US Army, were due to wed on the 16th hole of the Kaneohe Klipper course, which is on a military base close to where Obama and his family are staying on holiday.

At the wedding rehearsal a day before the ceremony, the couple was told they would have to move their nuptials from the course, a sought-after venue for its lovely ocean views, Bloomberg reported.

They moved the wedding to a lawn outside the home of the commanding officer on the military base.

The couple knew Obama would be staying nearby and had previously sent him an invitation to attend their celebrations.

They received a letter in reply expressing his regrets.

Jamie McCarthy, the sister of the bride, told Bloomberg: "It was kind of ironic they got the letter from him and then, within hours, they were told they had to be moved due to him.

"It was very emotional, especially for her.

"She's the bride and in less than 24 hours they had to change everything they had planned."

The White House declined to comment but officials said the President was unaware his round of golf meant moving a wedding until after he had finished.

A family friend of the newly married couple said Obama later telephoned them to apologise, congratulated them, and "made their day".