The Next Generation Creeping Bentgrass is

Here

Newer bents vs. existing bents• Short bentgrass development history

– Varieties have different attributes – Overall quality is important

• Introduce Independence Creeping bentgrass• Density and management • Trial site ratings and photos• Even newer generation on the way• Video – new construction with

Independence

Bentgrass Development History

• Penncross – 1955– Superintendents have experience managing it– Aggressive, prostrate growth habit– Not as dense as newer varieties– Not as disease tolerant– Not able to withstand Poa encroachment as well– More management issues occurred as

expectations increased and the height of cut was lowered over the years

Bentgrass Development History• PennLinks - 1986

– Originally developed primarily for greens– More upright growth habit

• PennEagle – 1978– Originally developed primarily for fairways– Improvements over Penncross

• Penn A’s & G’s- early 90’s– Much more dense– Designed to handle lower height of cut– More intense management practices

Bentgrass Development History• Southshore, Crenshaw, Providence,Century, SR

1119, Seaside,etc. – All were pretty good varieties when introduced in

80’s –90’s– Some were introduced to fit certain niches

• L-93 – released in mid 90’s– Developed at Rutgers University– Not as dense as new Penn varieties– Good disease resistance– Has become more widely accepted– Being used on fairways, greens, and tees

Independence Development History

• Selected from very large collection of plants from fairways and greens from throughout the species range starting in the early 90’s

• 1996-2000 – crosses and selections made

• Summer 2000- 23 plants selected from several breeder blocks, isolated and cross pollinated

Bentgrass Spaced Plant Nursery

Bentgrass Spaced Plant NurseryDollar Spot trial

Independence Development History

• August 2000 - Breeder seed harvested

• August 2000 – Foundation field planted

• Jan.- March 2001- Plant breeders rougue foundation field

• Resulting in another generation of selection

Independence Development History

• August 2001 – Foundation field harvested and production acres planted

• Fall 2001 – Test plots planted at Universities

• August 2002 – First limited production

• August 2003 – First full crop available

Where can Independence be used?

• Fairways

• Greens

• Tees

• New construction

• Interseeding existing turf

Why is Independence so versatile?

• Medium density allows easier topdressing and management than more dense varieties

• Upright, aggressive growth habit• Medium dark green color blends well

with other bents• Improved Dollar Spot resistance

decreases management costs

Density Comparison(expressed in shoots per sq. inch)

Penncross 87-90

Pennlinks 120-130

Providence 150-160

L-93 220-230

Independence 200-230

Velvet bents 350+

A-4, G-2 370-380

Poa annua 225

2003 NTEP Test

• Planted fall 2003

• First data spring 2005

• Independence Creeping bentgrass

• Declaration Creeping bentgrass

• Legendary Velvet bentgrass

Current Testing Sites(Previous to new NTEP)

• North Carolina State- Dr. Art Bruneau

• Virginia Tech – Dr. Eric Ervin

• Rutgers University – Dr. William Meyer

• CDGA –Dr. Randy Kane

• University of Nebraska – Dr. Bob Shearman

2002 Bentgrass Trial by NC State at CC of North Carolina

Entry Low mow/ no fungicide

Low mow/ with fungicide

High mow/ no fungicide

High mow/with fungicide

Overall mean

Independence 5.9a 6.2a 6.9a 7.1a 6.6a

Penn A-1 5.6ab 5.8ab 6.7a 6.5abc 6.2ab

Penn A-4 5.2b-e 5.1def 6.0b 6.4b-d 5.7bc

L-93 5.4a-d 5.2def 5.8bc 5.9c-e 5.6c

Bengal 5.0c-f 5.4bcd 6.0b 6.1c-e 5.6c

Penn G-6 4.9d-g 5.0def 5.8bc 5.8c-e 5.4c

Penncross 4.4g 4.4hi 4.9d 5.0fg 4.7e

LSD 0.65 0.49 0.60 0.71 0.48

Rutgers University2002 Fairway Creeping bent test VARIETY TURF QUALITY

Independence 6.2

Bengal 6.1

Brighton 4.9

L-93 4.9

Providence 4.7

Southshore 4.6

G-6 4.6

Regent 4.5

Putter 4.3

LSD @ 5% 0.8

Fairway Height bentgrass trials at North Brunswick, NJ established September 2001

Rutgers University2002 Greens Height Creeping bent test

Variety Turf Quality

Independence 5.8

Bengal 5.8

Penn A-2 5.7

Penn A-4 5.5

Penn G-6 4.7

L-93 4.7

Southshore 4.0

Pennlinks 3.7

Penncross 3.0

LSD @ 5% 0.7

Greens height Creeping Sept. 2001 bentgrass trial at North Brunswick, NJ established

Greens height Creeping bentgrass trial at North Brunswick established Sept. 2001, NJ

Greens height Creeping bentgrass trial at North Brunswick, NJ established Sept. 2001

Arrowhead Golf CourseNew Construction

• Independence Creeping bentgrass on greens and tees

• Pennway bent blend on fairways

• Bluegrass sod on greens & tees surrounds

• Winning Colors Tall fescue blend- roughs

• Country Club Links Mix – far roughs

Arrowhead Golf CourseGreen seeded fall 2002

Fall 2002 seeded Independence Green

Fall 2002 seeded Independence green

Tee seeded with Independence using PennMulch

Two week old Independence tee box

Two week old Independence Green

Two week old Independence Green

An even newer generation is coming !

An even newer generation is coming !

Arrowhead Golf CourseAkron, NY

Video detailing use of Independence creeping

bentgrass

The next generation is here !

Questions ?