Most Dangerous Game: The golf course where U.S. soldiers play surrounded by North Korean snipers

EXPLORING KOREA: Stories from Milwaukee to the DMZ and across a divided Peninsula. This special series explores historical sites and cultural traditions from across the Korean Peninsula, building a bridge back to the search for identity in Milwaukee. From the occupation of Korea at the end of World War II, to Korean War veterans in Milwaukee, veterans from Milwaukee who served in later years at the DMZ, adopted South Korean children who grew up in Milwaukee, different waves of the South Korean diaspora who moved to Milwaukee to raise their families, and even a defector from North Korea, their stories share generations of Korean and American experiences. https://mkeind.com/koreanstories

Surrounded by minefields and in range of enemy snipers by the DMZ, the par-3 one-hole golf course at Camp Bonifas was declared “The World’s Most Dangerous Golf Course” by “Sports Illustrated” in 1988 just before the Summer Olympic Games were held in Seoul.

Nestled within one of the most tense and heavily militarized zones on Earth, Camp Bonifas stands as a symbol of both conflict and camaraderie. Located just 1,300 feet south of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and 7,900 feet south of the Military Demarcation Line, Camp Bonifas was a United Nations Command military post until it was handed back to South Korea in 2006.

As a forward operating base, Camp Bonifas plays a critical role in monitoring and enforcing the Korean Armistice Agreement of 1953. It is home to the United Nations Command Security Battalion – Joint Security Area (JSA), a unique unit where soldiers from the Republic of Korea and the United States stand guard.

The soldiers, known as “security escorts,” also conduct the United Nations Command DMZ Orientation Program tours, offering visitors a glimpse into one of the world’s most volatile borders.

“DANGER! DO NOT RETRIEVE BALLS FROM THE ROUGH. LIVE MINE FIELDS.”

Among the camp’s many features is a par-3 one-hole golf course. The unique course, constructed in 1972, is surrounded on three sides by minefields. “Sports Illustrated” highlighted the danger of playing the single hole after reports emerged of at least one shot detonating a landmine.

The tee box is perched 50 feet above the fairway, which itself is atop an empty machine-gun nest, adding to the surreal and hazardous nature of the 192-yard course. Over the years, Camp Bonifas and its famous golf course have attracted numerous visitors, including celebrities and sports figures.

Despite its perilous surroundings, playing a round of golf provides a much-needed recreational activity for the soldiers stationed at Camp Bonifas. The wind gusts from the North Korean side make every shot a challenging endeavor, transforming what should be a leisurely game into a high-stakes exercise in precision and nerve.

Soldiers living and working at Camp Bonifas are acutely aware that they are stationed at the forefront of one of the world’s most turbulent boundaries. The base is fortified with triple coils of razor wire and equipped with a six-foot deep trench, along with various fortifications.

It is a place where the soldiers sleep with their boots on and laces tied, ready to respond at a moment’s notice. However, life at Camp Bonifas is not solely about keeping a watch for danger. The camp can see nearly 1,000 tourists daily, who come to witness the stark realities of the DMZ and learn about its historical significance. There is also a gift shop selling souvenirs.

The camp was originally named Camp Kitty Hawk, but was renamed in 1986 to honor U.S. Army Captain Arthur G. Bonifas who was killed along with First Lieutenant Mark T. Barrett by North Korean soldiers in 1976, during a tree-trimming operation.

Known as the “Axe Murder Incident,” the tragedy highlighted the ever-present danger and tension at the DMZ, leading to heightened security measures.