Spooky entertainer left president following golf (9)

I believe the answer is:

ghostlike

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'spooky' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'left president following golf' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'president' becomes 'ike' (nickname of Dwight Eisenhower).
'following' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'golf' becomes 'ghost' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'l'+'ike'='like'
'like' after 'ghost' is 'GHOSTLIKE'.

'entertainer' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ghostlike that I've seen before include "Spooky" , "suggesting spirits!" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app