Southies

[Kyle Harris]

Recently, I've learned of a old strain of bentgrass called South German bent. I understand this strain has been used in a lot of old push up greens and is noted for its reddish tinge.

Do any courses still use this strain? At HVCC, the spots of southies roll just as well as the Penncross...

[michael_j_fay]

Look at the old Willie Park, Jr. courses in the Connecticut, Long Island area. I played a number of these about 12-13 years ago and sow a similarity in the fairway and green grasses. I asked the then superintendent at Shuttle Meadow (Kensington, Ct) what kind of grass it was and he told me South German bent. This was confirmed by Bob Hopkins (a Park fan) at Woodway CC. Seems that 80 years after being introduced it was still thriving.

[Tom_Doak]

If I am wrong, I am sure one of the superintendents here like Pat K. will correct me, but ...

I don't think "South German" bent is a specific cultivar of bentgrass (such as A-4 or Penncross), but a MIXTURE of different creeping bents which was most popularly used in the 1920's.  I believe there were several different bentgrass cultivars contained in it, including Washington bent which is know for its purplish color, and perhaps velvet bentgrass as well.

You do still see remnants of it at many old Northeastern courses, because their superintendents have not fallen prey to seed salesmen encouraging them to overseed with newer cultivars which would crowd out the older varieties.

[Kyle Harris]

If I am wrong, I am sure one of the superintendents here like Pat K. will correct me, but ...

I don't think "South German" bent is a specific cultivar of bentgrass (such as A-4 or Penncross), but a MIXTURE of different creeping bents which was most popularly used in the 1920's.  I believe there were several different bentgrass cultivars contained in it, including Washington bent which is know for its purplish color, and perhaps velvet bentgrass as well.

You do still see remnants of it at many old Northeastern courses, because their superintendents have not fallen prey to seed salesmen encouraging them to overseed with newer cultivars which would crowd out the older varieties.

Tom,

Thanks for the clarification. The south german mix has a reddish tinge on our greens. Is that the Washington bent?

Do you know of any reason to mix the cultivars?

[Jason Hines]

What kind of climate does Washington bent prefer?  Is it an older seed?  Falcon Ridge in Lenexa (KC) has a definite purple/red tinge to the greens in the off season.  The course was built in '97.

Jason