With the Curtis Cup to be televised on TGC this weekend at Pacific Dunes, now seems a good time to inquire about Colonial bentgrass. I believe all three courses at Bandon have a mixture of Colonial bentgrass and fescue, from the tee, through the fairway, to the green. I found that this grassing scheme really does duplicate the links conditions found in the UK; it makes putting from off the green as far away as 50 yards a reasonable and senseable option. Also in a recent article in Golf T&L, Jack Nicklaus was quoted as saying that they used a "European mix" of Colonial bent and fescue at Sebonack GC.
A quick google search indicates that Colonial bentgrass was brought to the US by the colonists; as it was the primary turf grass for the lawns of the estates in the UK.
Is Colonial Bentgrass used as the primary turf species at many notheastern courses?
Why is it mixed with fescue to provide links like condtions? Couldn't you use just fescue and get the same results?
Can it be used on courses with heavy golf cart traffic, or will it only survive at walking only facilities like Bandon or extremely private clubs like Sebonack?
Thanks in advance for any replies.