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This man is growing Penn State's Penn G2 creeping bentgrass in his yard. Highlands CC greens are comprised of Penn A4 bentgrass. Prior to Pinehurst No. 2 converting their greens to Bermudagrass, they were also Penn G2 bentgrass. Penn State bentgrasses, developed by Dr. Joe Duich (long time professor and plant breeder at Penn State University) have about a 80-90% market share on bentgrasses across the globe.
As I've wrote about in the past, the A and G series bentgrasses are genetic mutations of Penncross bentgrass that were developed at Penn State in the 1950's. These mutations are far more dense and finer in texture as well as being able to tolerate extremely low mowing heights compared to their parent plants. Today, Penncross bentgrass is still the most popular bentgrass in the world in terms of sales. However, Penncross isn't used on greens any longer, rather fairways and tees. A majority of the bentgrass on HCC's tees and fairways is Penncross. Up until a renovation at Peachtree Golf Club 10 years or so ago, their greens were comprised of Penncross and were the best Penncross greens I've ever seen. However, Peachtree was only able to achieve that kind of density due to years and years of fine tuning and proper management. The newer varieties of bentgrasses develop that kind of density and leaf texture immediately.
The initials A and G stand for Augusta, Georgia. Dr. Duich selected these mutations from the par 3 course at Augusta National GC and took them back to State College, PA (home to PSU) where he grew them in greenhouses and at the Valentine Turfgrass Research Center. Once enough seed was harvested and he identified the samples with the best characteristics, that seed was used to establish large fields in Oregon where the operation turned commercial. All Penn bentgrass seed is grown and harvested in Oregon due to the ideal growing climate.
As I've wrote about in the past, the A and G series bentgrasses are genetic mutations of Penncross bentgrass that were developed at Penn State in the 1950's. These mutations are far more dense and finer in texture as well as being able to tolerate extremely low mowing heights compared to their parent plants. Today, Penncross bentgrass is still the most popular bentgrass in the world in terms of sales. However, Penncross isn't used on greens any longer, rather fairways and tees. A majority of the bentgrass on HCC's tees and fairways is Penncross. Up until a renovation at Peachtree Golf Club 10 years or so ago, their greens were comprised of Penncross and were the best Penncross greens I've ever seen. However, Peachtree was only able to achieve that kind of density due to years and years of fine tuning and proper management. The newer varieties of bentgrasses develop that kind of density and leaf texture immediately.
The initials A and G stand for Augusta, Georgia. Dr. Duich selected these mutations from the par 3 course at Augusta National GC and took them back to State College, PA (home to PSU) where he grew them in greenhouses and at the Valentine Turfgrass Research Center. Once enough seed was harvested and he identified the samples with the best characteristics, that seed was used to establish large fields in Oregon where the operation turned commercial. All Penn bentgrass seed is grown and harvested in Oregon due to the ideal growing climate.