By Michael, on November 20th, 2011 
President Obama donned his golf clothes this week for an outing at Mamala Bay Golf Course at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu this week, but it wasn't loud golf pants that had eyebrows raised. Along with White House travel director Marvin Nicholson, the president's group included his childhood friend Robert “Bobby” Titcomb, who was arrested by police in Honolulu for soliciting prostitution back in the spring.
This is not the first time Obama has golfed with Titcomb since taking office. Titcomb, who went to school with Obama at Punahou School in Honolulu during the 1970s, was a guest at the White House in August 2010 when the president celebrated his birthday. The birthday festivities included a round of golf at Andrews Air Force Base for the president and a few intimate friends, followed by a barbeque at the White House. Titcomb, considered one of Obama's closest friends, was present for both activities.
However, this week's outing marked the first time Titcomb has appeared in public with the president since the alleged incident occurred in April. At the time, Titcomb was one of four people who were caught up in an undercover prostitution sting orchestrated by Honolulu police. Titcomb has not been convicted of any wrongdoing.
Titcomb, who is a commercial fisherman and an airline employee, has been a close friend of the president since their youth together, and has always maintained a close relationship with the Obama family. The family’s Christmas vacations in Hawaii traditionally include a full day of jet-skiing, volleyball and grilling out with Titcomb at his North Shore home. This past December, the president, along with the first lady and their daughters, stayed at Titcomb's home for almost an entire day, and Titcomb is often a welcome guest at the golf and basketball outings Obama schedules for his Hawaii trips.
Titcomb was a featured speaker at a ceremony at Punahou School that honored the president. “He’s honest, he’s truthful and he’s always encouraged the better things in you," Titcomb said at the event. "And you always go back to those people who water your plant. Who water your garden.”
