David,
Agronomics is a very important factor in design. In your example, however, it is more likely a decision to grow a cool season grass(bentgrass) in a warm season grass(bermudagrass) climate. Sometimes, the issue is just that simple.
Joe
Joe,
I hate to be contrary but it is rarely that simple. There is no such thing as "the" "magic or perfect" grass for many areas of the country--Atlanta being the one I am most familiar with.
For example, in Atlanta, it is overly simplisitic to describe bentgrass as trying to grow the wrong grass in that environment. A warm season grass (even the much heralded Champion Bermuda) is not a silver bullet for this area.
Both grasses have the pluses and minuses. Modern bentgrasses (remember this isn't the old penncross stuff from 1956) do very well from around early September through mid June. They do struggle for about an eight to twelve week period in the mid and late summer. However, in my specific situation I want my greens at their best from early fall through early summer. July and August are slow for me.
Bermuda grass in Atlanta has a relatively short growing season. Bermuda doesn't really take off until June and by late September it is already slowing down a bit. This year with the 100+ temps, bermuda course owners look like geniuses
. But, the notion that you will save maintenance dollars is dubious at best and this comes after a lot of talks with those courses that have made the switch.
In cases (like maybe East Lake or even the AAC) where the desire is to have very firm and fast greens for a particular event held in August or early September, Bermuda would be a great choice. Year round though Bermuda will have to be covered in the winter when temps fall in the mid 20's. The greens will either have to be overseeded (a real pain in the fall and spring) or simply spray painted (A popular choice right now). Arguabley, spray painted dormant bermudagrass isn't what a lot of people want--the greens are "too firm" for many players' tastes. Also, while we have not had a cold winter recently, despite prevenative measures, winter kill in bermudagrass is a real threat in Atlanta.
I know firsthand the headaches of bent in Atlanta and I did as much research as possible when re-doing my course. My old GM put in Champion at his new course and I seriously considered it. In the end, there is no one answer and my decision was based a lot on the oppinion of my super. He's the grass guy and he still prefers the bent over the bermuda with the caveat that neither is the "silver bullet" for Atlanta.