Last Major on Bermudagrass Greens?

[Steve Okula]

To follow a thread on the golf course superintendents' web-site, does anyone know the last major golf tournament to be played on bermudagrass greens?

None of the superintendents who posted were  really sure.

[Kenny Baer]

Southern Hills 07 PGA; that would be my first guess.

[Adam_Messix]

My guess would be the 1987 PGA Championship at PGA National in Florida. 

Steve--

Hope you're doing well, it's been a while since we played.  The weather has returned to normal up here...... wet.

[Craig Van Egmond]

Kenny,

       In preparation for the 2007 PGA the greens at Southern Hills were rebuilt with A1-A4 bentgrass and the 9th/18th softened, after what happened in 2001. I don't know if they were bermuda for the 2001 US Open.

       The Masters was on bermuda until 1981.

[Steve Okula]

My guess would be the 1987 PGA Championship at PGA National in Florida. 

Steve--

Hope you're doing well, it's been a while since we played.  The weather has returned to normal up here...... wet.

Adam,

We're all well here. The '87 PGA was discussed and it was revealed that it was played on (bad) bentgrass, prompting Lee Trevino's quote that, "You can't read dirt."

[Anthony_Nysse]

The 1971 PGA was played at PGa national...that MIGHT have been played on bermudagrass.....the USGA stays away from bermudagrass....

Tony Nysse
Asst. Supt.
Pine Tree GC
Boynton Beach, FL

[Shannon Wheeler]

The 1987 PGA Championship at PGA National was 328 bemudagrass overseeded with Penncross Bentgrass.

[Adam_Messix]

I know Old Marsh tried the bentgrass experiment in Florida and struggled during the summer.  Redstick is one of the few places that still has bent down there, but they are closed during the summer.  I remember watching the 87 PGA as a kid and wondering how those guys to play in that heat and those greens look awful. 

Steve-
Good to hear you're doing well, hope you're getting to play some.

[Cristian]

Kenny,

       In preparation for the 2007 PGA the greens at Southern Hills were rebuilt with A1-A4 bentgrass and the 9th/18th softened, after what happened in 2001. I don't know if they were bermuda for the 2001 US Open.

       The Masters was on bermuda until 1981.

I read that in 2001 Southern Hills was still bermuda..... but I am not sure this is correct (nor do I remember the source).

[Anthony_Nysse]

Old Marsh had G-2 bentgrass until 2004, when they switched over to tifeagle. I had a chance to work there as an Assistant back in 2003, but dragging a hose all summer didnt excite me too much. Former superintendnet, Jim COlo (Now at Alotian Club) did a great job with them. Red Stick is the last course in FL with bentgrass, but as stated, is closed from May 15th-October 15th. I'm till not sure if bentgrass in the deep south is worth it.

Tony Nysse
Asst. Supt.
Pine Tree GC
Boynton Beach, FL