Dumbarton Golf Club has reported a fall in water levels following the devastating flooding that submerged much of its course last weekend, although the club faces an uncertain and potentially costly recovery.
The 18-hole course was inundated after Storm Boelo brought torrential rain and strong winds to the area, causing the banks of the nearby River Leven to burst. The flooding is believed to be the worst in the club’s 138-year history.
In its latest update on social media, supplemented by extraordinary images, the club said water levels had dropped by the morning, exposing more of the course than had been visible the previous day.
However, the extent of the damage remains unknown, with the club unable to assess the condition of the course properly until the water has receded.
The situation has been made more difficult by a collapsed section of the river embankment. The club’s vice-captain, Paul Savage, told the Glasgow Times that water continues to seep back onto the course at high tide.
“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,” he said.
Savage estimated that around 300 million litres of water had accumulated on the course. The club has been investigating the use of additional pumps to speed up the drainage process, but expects to meet the cost itself.
Once the water has gone, the club anticipates substantial repair work. Bunkers may need to be re-sanded, several bridges rebuilt and debris cleared, while a number of damaged trees remain inaccessible.
The club has also taken steps to reduce its operating costs while it deals with the aftermath. In its latest clubhouse announcement, it confirmed that there would be no day-to-day catering for the next two weeks, with catering available only for pre-arranged functions. Bar opening hours have also been reduced, with revised hours to be reviewed every fortnight.
The club has thanked members and the wider golfing community for their support, including offers of assistance from Helensburgh, Cardross and Clydebank and District golf clubs, which have offered tee times to Dumbarton members.
There have also been questions from supporters about setting up a fundraising appeal. The club said it was still working out the likely costs and timescale of the recovery, and was not setting up a GoFundMe or similar fundraiser at this stage, although it would keep the possibility under consideration.
West Dunbartonshire Council has closed the nearby towpath on safety grounds and is expected to review the collapsed embankment with engineers. The club has said it has received no timescale for that work.
While the latest fall in water levels offers some encouragement, the club faces a significant challenge before it can establish the full extent of the damage and what will be required to bring the course back into play.
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