The Elk Run golf course and restaurant will be permanently closing its doors Sunday, Oct. 19.

Earlier this year, King County bought out the golf courses’s lease on part of the Donut Hole property and gave the owners notice to vacate the property by the end of the year.

Because it’s going to take time to demolish buildings and remove their infrastructure, they are closing up shop now, according to Roy Humphreys, general manager and co-owner.

Humphreys and his co-owner Daryl Connell still own the golf course land west of 228th Avenue, approximately 70 acres according to parcel maps. When asked why they were closing the entire course, Humphreys said, “(Nine-hole golf courses) are just not economically feasible.”

There are no official plans in the works for the remaining land but they are working on a couple of ideas.

It’s likely there will some kind of residential development in place of the golf course, according to Humphreys. However, “nothing has been decided yet. We’re looking at all options,” he said in a phone interview.

He also said the major part of the plan will be up to the city.

“The city will dictate what type of development will be done on the property,” Humphreys said. “That decision won’t be made for probably a year or so.”

Steve Clark, director of public works and community development for the city of Maple Valley, says city officials will start the discussion of future land use for various plots throughout the city this month. This comprehensive plan will serve as a roadmap for Humphreys and Connell when they are deciding what to do with their land.

Cities in Washington are required to update their comprehensive plan every five years but are allowed to make minor revisions on an annual basis.

The shutting down of the golf course came as a surprise to some golfers who, while practicing their putting skills at Elk Run, didn’t know it was closing in just a few days.

Bryan Takeuchi of Fairwood said, “That’s too bad.” He said he liked the challenge that Elk Run gave him in comparison to other golf courses in the area. “It’s not as flat,” he added.

Takeuchi and a group of his coworkers from Boeing (Kent) always spend their Friday evenings after work golfing. Now, they will have to take Elk Run out of their rotation of courses to patronize.