Shortly after delivering a statement denouncing the execution of American journalist James Foley by Islamist militants in Iraq, President Obama hit the golf course on Wednesday.

Obama completed the statement at a school in Martha’s Vineyard where he is vacationing, before arriving minutes later at a local golf club.

ADVERTISEMENT

The president planned to play a round with former Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning, private equity investor Glenn Hutchins, and longtime friend Cy Walker‎, according to the White House.

It is the seventh round of golf for the president during his vacation on the Massachusetts island, but the first round since Sunday. The president briefly flew back to Washington Sunday night for meetings at the White House, but returned on Tuesday to his vacation home.

Last week, White House spokesman Eric Schultz acknowledged there were "ongoing complicated situations in the world" as the president was looking to squeeze in a summer vacation. But he said Obama had remained "engaged."

"I think, as many have observed over the past few days, there’s never a perfect time for the president to take some time away with his family," Schultz said.

"But I think we can also all agree that it’s valuable to recharge your batteries. And I just don't think the American people begrudge their president for taking some downtime with his family," he added.