The Royal Montrose Golf Club flag has been stolen from its pole, just days after it was raised to mark the start of the new season.
Match secretary Charlie Simpson arrived at the course on Wednesday morning to find it had vanished from its 25-metre mast on Traill Drive, East Links and is now appealing to the thief to hand it back.
Club members have been left upset by the incident, as the flag is designed to commemorate the three most important events in the history of the organisation and is only unveiled on special occasions such as Saturday’s clash between the club captain Brian Ritchie and vice-captain Michael Cummins.
The flag is blue and bears a red rose, two crossed golf clubs and the dates 1810, 1864 and 1986.
The Royal Albert Golf Club was founded in the town in 1810 and the Royal Victoria Golf Club in 1864. In 1986, the two merged to become the Royal Montrose Golf Club.
Mr Simpson said, “This flag has a lot of sentimental value to us but I don’t see what use it could be to anyone else.
“We were going to put out one of our other flags on Saturday but we decided to go for this one as it’s quite special.
“We’re just appealing to the conscience of whoever took it and hoping that they hand it back.
“Even if they want to drop it off at the door of the clubhouse and run away, that’s fine.”
The incident has been reported to police and officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious between 9pm on Tuesday and 11am on Wednesday to come forward.
Information can be passed on by calling 0300 111 2222.