Credit: Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

WASHINGTON - President Obama, who turns 52 Sunday, spent today playing golf with friends at Joint Base Andrews, but before he went he was briefed on the terrorist threat that will cause 21 U.S. embassies to close Sunday.

"Before departing this morning, the president was updated on the potential threat occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula by Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco. He will continue to be updated through the weekend," a White House official told reporters.

Behind The Scenes With President Obama : See the Photos

The State Department has ordered all U.S. embassies to close Sunday. Most are closed anyway on Sundays, except those in Muslim countries, meaning the closures affect 21 embassies in the Muslim world. The State Department also issued a worldwide travel alert for Americans on Friday.

He'll continue to receive updates throughout the weekend, the White House said.

After the briefing, the president's motorcade left the White House with golf clubs and at least one cooler in tow. Later, he planned to head to Camp David.

Obama Through the Years : See The Photos

Three groups teed off at Andrews, according to a White House official, including a smattering of old friends and former colleagues. Among them were two Chicago friends, Marty Nesbitt and Eric Whitaker, the latter of which attended grad school with Obama at Harvard. So were high school friends Mike Ramos and Bobby Titcomb, who was arrested in 2011 in Honolulu on suspicion of soliciting a prostitute. The Associated Press reported that he pleaded "no contest" later that year; Obama has played golf with him at least twice since the arrest.

Former aide Reggie Love and Chicago chef Sam Kass, who has also served as a White House chef, senior policy adviser on nutrition, and executive director of Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign, also played.

Obama was expected to depart for Camp David in the afternoon, returning Sunday.

The presidential golf outing got cool-for-August morning temperatures accompanied by some intermittent, light drizzling rain.