Golf Course Superintendents Have Many New Choices for Bermudagrass

Sept. 13, 2011 - PRLog -- Bermudagrasses are one of the most commonly used turfgrasses in America for home lawns, golf courses and sports fields. Tifway 419 Bermuda has been the standard bermudagrass for over 50 years. A few other varieties came along in the 80s and 90s, however since 2000, specialty named turfgrasses have flooded the market.

Patriot Bermuda was released in 2002 from Oklahoma State University. Patriot has a beautiful, dark blue-green color and a slightly wider blade than other Bermudas. It has superior cold and traffic tolerance compared to other Bermudas, and is spring dead resistant. Patriot has been proven a superior choice on many high profile sports fields, such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Virginia Tech playing fields, and at many golf courses nationwide on tee boxes and fairways. Patriot is a top performer in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Programs (NTEP) in the resistance of spring dead spot disease that plague many golf courses every year. Universities have also seen Patriot resist the disease in their own independent studies. The ability to heal after injury is good news for players and for the sod, and Patriot’s growth habit allows for rapid recovery from divots.

Newer to the turf world, TifGrand Bermuda, is one of the most-talked about grasses this year.  Released in summer 2010 by the University of Georgia, TifGrand is the first hybrid, shade tolerant Bermuda available. Its shade tolerance is very comparable to zoysia or St. Augustine varieties, and is the only hybrid bermudagrass to offer superior quality in full sun or moderate shade. Golf course superintendents can install this variety around their entire course, whether in sun or shade. The reduced fertilizer requirement, compared to other varieties, is also helpful on the playing course. The color and texture matches up very well to Tifway 419 and can tolerate mowing heights as low as ½ inch.
For more information on these turfgrass varieties, please visit www.ngturf.com.

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NG Turf was established in 1986 by Aaron McWhorter. NG Turf produces sod for homeowners, landscapers, golf courses and sports fields. NG Turf has 5 farms in the state and produces bermuda, centipede, fescue, zoysia and buffalograss