A beloved Scottish golf club may have to shut down after severe flooding left its 138-year-old course underwater.
The club says it still cannot assess the full damage and has cut opening hours while it works on water removal.
Dumbarton Golf Club could be forced to close permanently after Storm Boelo, as the course currently sits beneath water.
Aerial images show the course was battered last weekend when 80mph winds caused the worst flood damage in its history.
The green on the River Leven flooded after relentless rain burst the banks.
The 18-hole layout has been submerged for days while staff seek ways to drain it.
Vice-captain Paul Savage told The Glasgow Times the club is in a difficult spot because of its location.
"When the high tide comes, the water starts seeping back into the golf club because that area of the embankment has collapsed," he said.
"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."
No exact timeline for clearing the floods has been set, but the club is exploring rapid water-removal options.
He added, "We've got one chance to try and get the golf club back, or we potentially lose it if we don't."
Savage described waking to the storm's effects as "heart-breaking" and estimated about 300 million litres of water on the course.
Management says extra pumps will likely be needed, at the club's own cost, to speed up drainage.
They expect extensive damage, possibly requiring re-sanding bunkers, rebuilding bridges and clearing debris.
While work continues, Dumbarton announced reduced opening hours to save money for repairs.
The club posted an update on social media: "We know that, by now, you will be aware of the devastation from Saturday night, and we wanted to provide you with an update.
"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.
"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.
"We would ask members to support the club wherever possible and follow the revised opening hours, which will be sent out regularly.
"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.
"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.
