SCHLOSS Roxburghe acquires GKB machines
By Alistair
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A trio of GKB Machines have been installed at SCHLOSS Roxburghe Championship Golf Course, as part of major ongoing investment into the club and wider estate. After being delivered by dealer Thomas Sherriff & Co in the summer of 2024, the SP100, SPM300 and GKB Combiseeder were put straight to task by Golf Course Manager Ross Ovens, as he and his team of 13 completed autumn renovations on greens, tees and approaches.
The Roxburghe is nestled in the heart of the Scottish Borders and is consistently ranked within the Top 10 Inland Courses in Scotland. Designed by the internationally renowned golf course architect Dave Thomas, the Par-72 parkland course and wider complex was sold in 2018 – with the new owners investing heavily in the on-site hotel, spa, lodges and golf course. “The property has changed massively, meaning we needed to invest in our greenkeeping equipment to produce the quality needed” comments Ross.
“In speaking with Dougie Archibald at Thomas Sherriff’s and GKB’s Tom Shinkins we really liked the fact that GKB is a family-owned business, and this feeds down into the level of care and detail put into their robust range of equipment.” Part of the fleet package, and replacing existing topdressers, was an SP100 and SPM300 from the GKB Sandspreader range. “These two machines work hand in hand brilliantly, giving us the versatility to dress greens as well as using the larger machine on the fairways. The SPM300 with material handler we’ve found particularly useful for topping up bunkers or loading material into the SP100 quickly and easily.”
He continues, “Our SP100 is mounted onto our John Deere Gator, and we have retrofitted this with a GPS system which has dramatically improved the accuracy and efficiency of topdressing operations. It gives us both the spread and quality we are looking for.”
Also delivered was a CS160. “With fewer chemicals available, and a desire to improve our sustainability credentials, it is more important than ever that we have a good overseeding programme in place. We didn’t have a seeder previously, so we demonstrated various models and opted for the GKB Combiseeder because – as a dimple seeder – we found it gave us better germination. This will be pivotal in our programme moving forwards as we try to introduce better cultivars into our surfaces, making us more resistant to disease and thereby lowering our reliance on chemicals.”
“The trio have recently played a big part in our autumn renovation works. We put down a good application and even distribution of sand, followed by overseeding as we pursue the ongoing improvement of our sward on the high wear areas of the course.” Ross concludes, “We’ve been delighted with the results we’ve achieved and the support we’ve had from Tom and from Thomas Sherriff’s before, during and after the purchase process.”
By Alistair
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