Obama apologizes for forcing Army couple to relocate wedding so he could golf

MARINE CORP BASE HAWAII, Hawaii, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama apologized for forcing a pair of engaged U.S. Army captains to relocate their nuptials on a Hawaiian golf course to accommodate his plans to play over the weekend.

Captains Edward Mallue Jr. and Natalie Heimel were originally scheduled to be wed at Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, but were told during their wedding reception they had to pick another site so the president could play golf.

The couple was aware of Obama's presence in Hawaii at the same time as their wedding, and even invited the commander in chief and fellow golf enthusiast to attend the ceremony. Hours before being told their wedding needed to be moved, they received a letter from the president's office wishing them happiness but regretfully declining.

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

"It was emotional, especially for her -- she's the bride and in less than 24 hours they had to change everything they had planned."

But upon learning his game moved the wedding, Obama saved the day, personally calling the couple to apologize and congratulate them, in what McCarthy described as a "wonderful talk."

"We were all there, it was perfect. Made their day."

Naile Brennan of K Bay Catering, the couple's wedding planner, was well aware of the potential change Obama's presence could force and had a number of backup sites ready. Mallue and Heimel settled for lawn near the home of Col. Eric Schaefer, near the 16th hole where they originally planned to wed.

"It's much prettier and much nicer venue unless you're an avid golfer," Brennan described. "It's more secluded and there are no golfers yelling, 'Fore!'"