Professional golfers Daniel Fox, Aaron Pike and Ryan Lynch have taken on their most daunting challenge yet, avoiding the world's biggest bunker at Evolution Mining's Mungari Gold Mine, in the lead up to the TX Civil and Logistics WA PGA Championship in Kalgoorlie.
Standing at the edge of the custom-made par-3 golf hole, the trio gazed out across the open cut gold mine to their target - a green positioned 294 meters away with a 46-metre elevation change.
"We all hit it left with our first few shots, I think we were definitely daunted by that "bunker", it's another 100 metre drop off right next to the green," said Pike.
"Instinctively as a golfer you don't want to hit it there."
The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia players decided to tee it up in a 'nearest the pin' contest as a crowd of Evolution employees who built the hole watched on.
Both Fox and Pike found the green, with Fox winning by hitting to within seven feet of the hole. Unfortunately, Lynch's shot ended up in the bunker.
"Anytime I am hitting drivers off the tee, I am not expecting to hit two more shots to make par that's for sure," said Fox.
"It was a pretty incredible backdrop with the mine, all the red dirt and grey rocks. It was plenty of fun and a great opportunity."
Evolution Mining People, Culture and Community Manager Dianne Newell said Evolution was proud to host the event with the PGA of Australia.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for Evolution to host this event as part of the celebrations for the 125th anniversary of gold mining to showcase the Kalgoorlie region.”
Evolution Mine's Mungari operation, 20km west of Kalgoorlie, includes both the Frogs Leg and White Foil mines, with White Foil being the open cut setup utilising conventional drill and blast, load and haul methods.
The TX Civil and Logistics WA PGA Championship was held at Kalgoorlie Golf Course on 10-13 May, with Michael Wong taking out the grand prize of $125,000 and West Australian Brody Martin finishing a close second. For tournament details visit the PGA website.