President Barack Obama kicked off his birthday celebrations over the weekend by playing a round of golf and traveling to a retreat in Maryland.
Obama, who turned 53 on Monday, played 18 holes on the golf course Saturday morning at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, an activity that has become an annual tradition for him. The president played with three of his childhood friends, Mike Ramos, Bobby Titcomb and Greg Orme, whom he grew up with in Hawaii, The Associated Press reported. The foursome was victorious over two other teams.
The president reportedly then traveled to Camp David in Maryland before returning to the White House on Sunday afternoon.
He had no planned events for Monday.
Before beginning his weekend, Obama sharply criticized congressional leaders on Friday for failing to act on key issues before their five-week summer break. He particularly noted that legislators suggested he act on immigration without their support — only two days after the House voted to sue him because of his use of executive action in implementing the Affordable Care Act. Obama said he will be forced to make tough choices to meet the country’s current challenges while congressional leaders are on vacation through August.