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In the 1930's, bluegrass was the turf of choice
for faiways, with Seaside and vegetative bents
found on the greens. Summer heat and other
stresses left them vulnerable to weeds, Poa
annua and disease invasion. An aggressive
bent was needed to compete on golf courses.
Professor Burt Musser took on the challenge
by gathering bentgrass strains from several
locations, and established a research and
development program that integrated seedling
vigor, seed yield, various soil types, aggressiveness,
disease resistance, low mowing properties
and overall appearance and color. After years
of research, the finished product was named
Penncross.
Aggressiveness, vigor, and wear tolerance
make Penncross a natural for tees and fairways
as well as greens. Initially, Penncross received
some criticism for being too vigorous and
difficult to manage. Superintendents find
that reducing water and fertilizer produces
the best results.
Penncross' ability to perform under a wide
range of conditions make this bentgrass adaptable
virtually worldwide. Golf course architects
have specified Penncross for areas of extreme
cold and heat, and Penncross has survived
humidity where bermudagrass has been the standard.
Early Penncross greens were established as
far North as Anchorage, Alaska and Alberta,
Canada as well as the warmer climate of Costa
Rica, Spain, and Morocco. Now, the sun never
sets on a Penncross green. Golfers in Australia,
Asia, Africa and through out Europe have the
same putting advantage as U.S. players, and
world travelers feel at home at courses in
remote destinations.
Penncross has set a new high standard for
tees, fairways and more greens. With the addition
of more than 400 golf courses every year,
and today's sophisticated golfers watching
more televised tournaments, reading countless
golfing publications and playing more and
more rounds, the awareness of, and demand
for, Penncross continues on and on.
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