A
trio from 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.”
