Editor's note: The Telegram will feature an area golf course every Sunday during the summer. Today's featured course is Temple College Golf Course. To learn about TC's history, signature hole and general information, see Page 5C of Sunday's Telegram.

Dubbed “The Old Nine”, Temple College Golf Course doesn’t offer a physically and mentally-grueling challenge for the highly-skilled player.

But that was never its intention.

Opened in 1945, TC’s sole purpose was for recreation and therapy for the wounded soldiers returning from the World War II battlefields who were residing at U.S. Army McCloskey General Hospital (now Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Center).

Built by German prisoners of war, many amputees used TC for physical therapy while others tried to overcome post-traumatic stress disorder from the frigtening scenes they encountered fighting for their country.

Golf legends such as Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and Jack Burke Jr. stopped to play the John Bredemus design.

The Jaycees-sponsored Veterans Amateur State Golf Championship held every July used to draw about 200 competitors at its peak in the 1960s.

While its main audience is still seniors and beginning golfers, Temple College Golf Course will always remain an integral part of the community.

cmeister@temple-telegram.com