In the mid-1990s, a Penn State Turfgrass Professor, Dr. David Huff, embarked on a program to see if it was possible to breed select Poa annua varieties and produce seed that could be sold to golf courses that rely on Poa annua as their putting surfaces. While creeping Bentgrass is a desirable turf, Poa annua can be even more superior turf because of its high shoot density and ability to withstand a variety of conditions, particularly very low mowing heights and compacted soils. To many, Poa annua is considered a weed but to many classic golf courses like Oakmont CC or Winged Foot GC, it’s a way of life. Over the past 100 plus years, these clubs cultivated amazing strands of Poa that have many of the desirable traits for putting greens.
However, there was a big problem. These fine Poa annua varieties have evolved over the years produce little, if any seed head. A turf that doesn’t produce seed head, means it’s incredibly difficult to produce plants to harvest seed from, ultimately to sell.
In the mid 1990’s, I was a college student working at Oakmont CC in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr Huff came to Oakmont on several occasions selecting samples of Poa from their greens. He would look for the most hardy, disease tolerant varieties around the green that also had good color and high density. After all, this is what superintendents are looking for.
Steadfast in his research, Dr. Huff continued his vision for another 20 plus years, traveling the country, selecting the finest varieties and segregations of Poa annua he could find on golf courses.
Now, in 2022, his goal finally came to fruition and he is ready to start experimenting with the seed he’s been able to harvest. Dr. Huff reached out and asked if Highlands CC would consider being 1 or 4 golf courses to establish these initial trials. Of course, I was exited to be part of the this! This fall, we will be establishing a 5000ft2 nursery and a 2500ft2 tee at the back of the practice facility using the newly developed Poa annua, known as variety PA33. Highlands CC will be the farthest southern Club to participate in the trial. Wildwood CC in Pittsburgh along with Apawamis Club in Rye, New York will also be participating. Dr. Huff is currently looking for one more site for the trial.
We are currently working with Penn State’s Office of Technology Management on the details of releasing the seed that Penn State holds the rights to.
Stay tuned for more information on this project. If you have an interest in turf, these are exciting times and real milestone in the world of Agronomy.