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Column: Past President Obama hits the links at Torrey Pines — again

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As President Donald Trump played golf in West Palm Beach Sunday, stirring up more online controversy over his frequent golf forays, ex-President Barack Obama was playing golf in San Diego.

It’s the third consecutive year that Obama, reportedly in Southern California on business, has golfed on the Torrey Pines South Course.

“He likes the course a lot,” says golf course starter John Carterette. “He was complimenting the way the course looked from the first tee — challenging and beautiful.”

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As word spread, Carterette said about 60 people gathered to watch Obama tee off with three friends. When the men left the course four hours and 45 minutes later, about 100 folks were crowded around the 18th hole.

A little over two years ago, Stephanie and Brian Tobe were about to marry by Torrey Pines Lodge overlooking the 18th green when Obama and his security detail came through, delaying their ceremony. Obama walked over afterward to apologize and posed with the delighted couple for a photo.

Carterette said Obama was smiling, very friendly and commented on his Hawaiian shirt. The president’s staff even offered to take a photo of Obama with him.

Obama also autographed the start time sign on his golf cart for the starter shack’s collection. It will join about 40 others signed by celebrities, including NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson, boxer Oscar De La Hoya, singer Smokey Robinson and numerous baseball and football stars.

Rest of the story: A guitar autographed by Tom Petty at KAABOO Del Mar 15 days before he died was sold by a N.Y. auction house for $15,000.

The singer had signed the guitar to help with the refurbishment of Balboa Park’s Starlight Theatre, which closed in 2012.

“We’re real excited,” said Steve Stopper, founder of the Save Starlight group. “It would have been nice to get a quarter of a million dollars,” he said. “But we got nationwide attention,” which he said has spurred additional interest and donations.

After the Starlight Bowl restoration was highlighted in the Guernsey Auction catalog, Tom Petty fan club members contacted Save Starlight and offered their support.

The Pettybreakers, a Tom Petty cover band, came to San Diego and played at no cost during the Starlight’s December Nights festivities. School and community groups performed on a makeshift stage in front of the theater.

Proceeds from the guitar’s sale (minus a 15 percent commission) will be used, in part, to publicize the mission and launch a Kickstarter campaign for donations, Stopper said. The buyer remains anonymous but reportedly is the spouse of a professional athlete.

Save Starlight just received a special-use permit from the city which frees it to begin formal fundraising. “It will be a lengthy process but we will start the revitalization process in the top buildings (ticketing and concessions),” noted its Facebook post.

The group hopes to open a gourmet coffee and pastry concession at the front of the theater by summer.

diane.bell@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1518

Twitter: @dianebellSD

Facebook: dianebell.news

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