Sinkhole opens on Lenexa golf course
The sinkhole is on the left side of the fairway on the 13th hole at Canyon Farms Golf Course. Despite the change in the landscape, the course and the hole itself remain open.
"I believe it's par 4," said golfer Jerry Nelson. "But they have set the tee box way up front about 120 yards out."
Shortening the hole takes the sinkhole out of play.
A statement from the owners said a portion of the course is built over a nonoperating limestone mine. The statement said the majority of the mine is considered stable, according to various geotechnical studies.
Nelson and his partner said they took a good look at the sinkhole as they played the course.
"We walked to walk around and look into it a little bit. It looks like everything has sunk 10 feet or so," Nelson said. "The green from the grass is down about 8 to 10 feet, something like that."
Canyon Farms management said sinkholes on golf courses are common. Nelson said it was first one he has ever seen. Recent wet weather may have been a factor in causing the sinkhole to open up.
The owners said they're trying to figure out how to repair the sinkhole.
Well, why not just consider it a 'trap' and leave it at that? Unsafe? Fill it in with sand and make it an official sand trap.