Roxburgheshire, Scotland: IMG Golf Course Services has increased its relationship with SCHLOSS Roxburghe, the five-star resort in the Scottish Borders, and home to this year’s Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A.

From Spring 2025, the full golf operation at SCHLOSS Roxburghe will be managed by IMG who will oversee the agronomy, operations, marketing, and sales for this spectacular venue.

The extension of the relationship follows a multi-year partnership, during which IMG has worked closely with the team throughout one of the most transformative periods in its multi-century history.

In addition to the building of 51 luxurious Scottish cottages across the property, a full renovation and extension of the hotel (including 58 brand new contemporary bedrooms and suites), and the creation of a new award-winning spa, SCHLOSS Roxburghe has also invested heavily in the golf course itself, including the building of a state-of-the-art greenkeeping facility to ensure the layout remains the strongest golfing proposition in the region.

The club has also added a brand new TopTracer driving range, complete with covered bays and a dedicated teaching space – open to members, hotel guests, and the general golfing public.

This continued excellence on the golf course has been recognised by officials at the Challenge Tour and The R&A with the awarding of the Scottish Challenge event this summer.

IMG and SCHLOSS Roxburghe have also worked to ensure renewed and strengthened relationships with leading Tour Operators, with representatives from the venue joining IMG’s stand at IGTM in 2024.

To support this increased relationship, IMG has announced that Ross Ovens has been promoted to Head of Golf at the venue.

A central part of the greenkeeping operation at SCHLOSS Roxburghe for more than 25 years, including more than a decade as Golf Course & Estates Manager, Ovens brings his intrinsic knowledge of the destination into an elevated role, overseeing all aspects of the golfing operation both on and off the course, and will report directly into IMG’s management team.

IMG Golf Course Services VP Russell Hannah said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the team at SCHLOSS Roxburghe and are delighted that the venue will become one of our fully-managed properties. This change will allow us to invest further time into the property, ensuring that the destination continues to be a beacon of excellence in the Borders for years to come.

“We’ve worked closely with Ross in his previous roles at the venue, and have been hugely impressed by his passion for SCHLOSS Roxburghe, as well as the way he has managed the greenkeeping operation to ensure it remains by far and away the best conditioned club in the area. We can think of no person better suited to oversee the entire golfing operation at the venue.”

Ovens added: “I’m excited to get going in this new role at the venue at which I’ve worked for more than a quarter of a century. Working closely with IMG’s management team, I’m thrilled that others have seen the potential that I have long known existed here at SCHLOSS Roxburghe, and can’t wait to play a central role in bringing more golfers from across the globe to our course.”

SCHLOSS Roxburghe is a Destination by Hyatt venue, a moniker given to a select handful of Hyatt hotels across the world who exude excellence and individualism throughout the property.

*IMG Golf Course Services is an Associate Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.