Holes 10-12 – Warriors Choice Foundation

Hole 10 – “Frozen Valor”

Year(s):
1950–1953

Key Historic Moment:
Korean War—heroic stand at the Chosin Reservoir, and daring Inchon Landing.

On-Course Activation:
Cold-weather gear station where players try on parkas; QR code video on “The Chosin Few.”

In Korea, Marines demonstrated tenacity in extreme cold and mountainous terrain.
The Chosin Reservoir (1950) was a brutal encirclement where Marines fought a fighting withdrawal.
Marines executed orderly withdrawals under overwhelming enemy pressure, saving numerous forces.
Cold-weather injuries and equipment challenges tested Marine resilience.
Marines supported the Inchon landing (1950) in a major amphibious and strategic operation.
The Inchon operation showcased bold amphibious maneuver and high-risk payoff.
Korean War actions emphasized adaptability to both conventional and guerilla-style tactics.
Marines operated in urban, mountain, and coastal environments during the conflict.
The harsh climate forced innovation in cold-weather clothing and logistics.
Leadership at small-unit level proved decisive in isolated engagements.
The war reinforced joint amphibious doctrine in limited-war settings.
Marines earned numerous unit and individual decorations for valor in Korea.
Combat experiences informed Cold War-era readiness planning and training.
The Corps maintained forward-deployment concepts as geopolitical deterrence.
The war highlighted the need for rapid evacuation and casualty care under fire.
Marine amphibious capabilities were validated in both large landings and small raids.
Korea shaped later Marine doctrine for combined-arms in rough terrain.
The Chosin veterans’ stories remain a pillar of Marine perseverance lore.

Hole 11 — “Hearts & Minds”

Year(s):
1955–1975

Key Historic Moment:
Marines in Vietnam—Khe Sanh siege, Hue City house-to-house fighting, and jungle warfare.

On-Course Activation:
Bamboo jungle walkway with audio of Vietnam-era Marine radio chatter.

Vietnam forced Marines into sustained counterinsurgency and jungle operations.
The siege of Khe Sanh (1968) tested endurance under prolonged artillery and aerial bombardment.
Marines fought house-to-house in Hue City during the Tet Offensive urban battles.
Helicopter-borne insertions became central to Marine tactics and mobility.
Small-unit patrolling, reconnaissance, and pacification efforts were daily tasks.
Jungle warfare drove adaptations in small arms, camo, and survival techniques.
Hearts-and-Minds operations included civil affairs, medical outreach, and infrastructure projects.
The war demanded close cooperation with ARVN and allied forces.
Counterinsurgency emphasized intelligence, civic engagement, and population protection.
Marines developed native-language and cultural awareness programs to improve operations.
Ambushes, IEDs, and booby-traps forced tactical innovations in convoy and patrol security.
Vietnam veterans influenced doctrine on urban combat and counterinsurgency after the war.
The war exposed the Corps to intense media scrutiny and complex political constraints.
Marine training incorporated lessons on small-unit leadership and asymmetric threats.
The experience shaped veteran care and long-term support systems for Marines.
Technology such as night-vision and improved comms became more common.
The conflict underscored the psychological toll of protracted irregular warfare.
Despite controversy, Marines displayed adaptability and courage in difficult conditions.

Hole 12 — “Desert Stormers”

Year(s):
1990–1991

Key Historic Moment:
Gulf War—largest Marine deployment since WWII, liberation of Kuwait in 100 hours.

On-Course Activation:
Desert camo flagsticks; sand-colored golf balls as giveaways.

In 1990–91, Marines rapidly deployed to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in massive numbers.
The Corps participated in breaching operations that opened routes for coalition forces.
Combined arms and mechanized maneuver were highly visible in the Gulf War.
Marines operated alongside multinational coalition partners in liberation operations.
Precision fires, air superiority, and electronic warfare enhanced Marine effectiveness.
The conflict highlighted logistic agility in desert environments.
Mine-clearing and route clearance became critical skillsets.
Amphibious deception operations tied down Iraqi forces along the coast.
The rapid maneuver campaign showcased modern mobility and firepower integration.
Marine aviation provided close air support and battlefield mobility.
The war demonstrated coalition interoperability and joint command structures.
Marines applied lessons in combined-arms maneuver learned since WWII and Korea.
Casualty evacuation and medical care benefited from advanced trauma protocols.
Technological edge (night-vision, precision-guided munitions) reduced friendly losses.
The Gulf War reinforced forward deployability as key to deterrence and rapid response.
Desert training and pre-deployment conditioning prepared units for harsh climates.
Many Marines earned commendations for rapid, effective execution under fire.
The operation revived public attention for the Corps’ role in major conventional war.