Nearby WWII POW Camp...and Golf Course

Anyone who knows me well, understands that I am a history buff.  I should have a bumper sticker that says, "Danger!  I Brake Hard for Historical Markers".

There is an unusual area not far down the road from Riverside toward Huntsville called "Country Campus."  I have passed by the Country Campus many times through the years, never understanding its significance.  Since there were always cattle on the property, I assumed it was some sort of agricultural facility associated with Sam Houston State Univesity.

Several days ago I noticed a historical marker and stopped to read it.  Turns out that the area was originally a POW camp in World War II that housed German prisoners, mainly from the Rommel's Afrika Corps.  After the War it was donated to Sam Houston State.  Hence the name "Country Campus."

I also noticed a sign indicating that a golf course lay down a dirt road somewhere on the property.  Peculiar place for a golf course, but I was curious.  So yesterday I drove down the road to see what the golf course looks like.  

When I arrived there was a bearded guy who dressed like a construction worker sitting on a golf cart.  "Wanna play some golf?", he asked as I walked up. 

"No," I replied.  "Just looking around."

"Want me to take you on a tour of the course?", he continued.

"No, that's all right," I replied.  "You work here?"

"Yes," he said, "If you want, you can take the cart and look around the course."

So finally I agreed and took the cart around the 9 hole course.  It is pretty rough and not very challenging, which would be perfect for me.

As I was driving around, I noticed a very old, barrack-style building in an adjacent pasture.  It had to be one of the original barracks from the POW camp!  When I returned to the metal building that served as the club house, I asked about the building.  The attendant confirmend that it was one of the original barracks, but unfortunately it is not accessible to the public.  The property is now owned by a rancher, and one of these days I'm going to try to get permission to poke around the barracks building.

Oh, yes.  "What is the greens fee?" I asked.

"Six dollars," replied the attendant.

Sounds like my kind of golf course.