Beloved 138-year-old UK golf club faces closure after ‘heartbreaking’ floods – and warns ‘survival is uncertain’

Comment now Next A BELOVED UK golf club faces the possibility of closure after devastating floods left the course submerged underwater. The club has said they still don’t know what the potential damage to the course may be, and have been forced to reduce the club opening hours in the interim. Dumbarton Golf Course has been left submerged following Storm Boelo last weekend Credit: Getty Images Dumbarton Golf Club could be forced to close for good following Storm Boelo , as the Scottish course currently sits underwater.

Advertisement Aerial photographs revealed that the course had been ravaged by the storms last weekend, after 80mph winds led to the worst flood damage in the club’s 138-year history. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. The green, which is located on the River Leven, was flooded after continuous torrential rain caused the banks to burst.

The 18-hole course has now been submerged for days while the club continues to try and work towards getting the water removed. Read more in sport UNTOUCHED TEE Abandoned UK 'ghost’ golf course put up for sale by Arab billionaire owner CLIFFHANGER Historic UK golf course at risk of crashing into the sea as 18th hole is moved Paul Savage, the club’s vice-captain, told The Glasgow Times they have been left in a tricky situation following the floods, based on the location of the club.

“When the high tide comes, the water starts seeping back into the golf club because that area of the embankment has collapsed,” he explained. “If we pump out the water now, it will just come back because the actual embankment has collapsed and we’re not in a financial position where we can afford to do this more than once. An exact timeline to clear the floods has not yet been given, however the club is investigating how to get the water off the course as quickly as possible.

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Advertisement Paul noted that waking up to see the effects of the storm on the club was “heart-breaking” and estimated that there are currently 300 million litres of water on the course. The club’s management team has revealed that “extra pumps” are likely to be needed to remove water from the course quickly, at a personal cost to the club. They also expect a significant amount of damage following the extreme flooding, including the possibility of re-sanding bunkers, rebuilding bridges and removing debris.

While water removal and repairs continue, Dumbarton has announced that it will be operating reduced opening hours for its club in order to save funds for the expected work. Dumbarton Golf Course delivered an update via social media earlier this week, that read: “We know that, by now, you will be aware of the devastation from Saturday night, and we wanted to provide you with an update. Advertisement “We thank everyone for their offers of help.

These are very much appreciated and will be gratefully accepted once we can get the water off the course. “We are monitoring the water coming in from the collapsed embankment as this will not be a quick fix. “We have liaised with West Dunbartonshire Council, and their priority is, rightly, to close the towpath for safety reasons. “They will then review the situation with engineers, but there is no guidance on timescales for this. “Therefore, we are left to try and do what we can to get the water off the course as quickly as possible.

This will probably result in extra pumps being required at our cost. We are currently trying to secure these. Advertisement “The damage to the course once the water has receded is difficult to imagine right now. “Bunkers may all need to be re-sanded, multiple bridges will need to be rebuilt, debris will take time to remove, and there are a number of damaged trees that we cannot get to. This will result in a significant cost as well. “We have taken the decision to reduce the club’s operating hours to try and save money.

“This is heartbreaking, given that we have been doing so much in the clubhouse. It continued: “We would ask members to support the club wherever possible and follow the revised opening hours, which will be sent out regularly. Advertisement “We have received offers of help from various nearby golf courses. This has been extremely welcome, and we thank Helensburgh Golf Club, Cardross Golf Club and Clydebank and District Golf Club for reaching out to us at this time.

RECOMMENDED STORIES “This is still very much an ongoing situation, and we will try to update you as we know more. Please bear with us as much as possible. The Sun has contacted Dumbarton Golf Course for further comment. Comment now