Seventy years of bentgrass breeding, selecting the newest generation of golf course ready-- for the 2020's.

What is a Super BentTM?

Definition: An advanced generation, highly refined bentgrass variety, bred for genetically enhanced disease resistaance and scientifically designed for use on closely maintained golf greens, fairways and tees. 

Generations of improvements do make a difference.

One point is certain, over the past 20 years the Rutgers University bentgrass breeding program is dominant in developing varieties possessing the most advanced turf qualities to include disease resistance - there is no comparison.

Photo:  Rutgers University summer fine turf field day -- July 2021. Thousands of bentgrass evaluation trial plots (3x5') are rated for overall turfgrass quality as well as genetic resistance to disease, heat and wear traffic stresses. 

Photo: Rutgers field days allow the public and turf professionals to walk the turf plots and hear PhD turf specialists present their research findings.

007, 777, 007XL, Mackenzie and Tyee bentgrasses were developed at Rutgers University, in part, with financial support received from the United States Golf Association (USGA).  

Photo: 007XL seeded on a nursery green at the Colonial CC, Forth Worth, TX. May 28, 2022.

For "Super BentTM" information contact https://sroseed.com/super-bents

For "Super BentTM" variety

qualities contact

https://www.sroseed.com/find-a-product/bentgrass

"It was my choice to selct Seed Research of Oregon (A DLF/Pickseed Company) to have the exclusive seed production and marketing rights for my bentgrass varieties. I wanted a company that I could trust with production of the highest quality seed -- free of undesirable weeds and crop."

Richard Hurley, Ph.D.

For over 42 years, I have been involed with breeding improved turfgrasses in association with Rutgers University.

It was the year 1993 when my first major bentgrass variety became commercially available. I named this variety L-93.  

My next bentgrass variety named 007 was released in the year 2007 -- the 007 proved to be a significant improvement compared to the L-93. 

007 was followed by 777 released in the year 2017 -- the "Triple Seven" bentgrass has shown to have excellent heat, traffic and overall high turf quality ratings.

My newest bentgrass is named 007XL -- not an improved 007 but a totally unique and enhance "Super Bent" variety.

Each one of my bentgrass varieties are of the highest quality, and, collectively, have been seeded / sodded on thousands of golf courses all around the world -- in the US, Canada, Europe, Russia, Japan, Australia and Africa.

"What you will find with my bentgrasses includes, performance, adaptability, duribility, uniformity and consistancy."

Richard Hurley, PhD.

Varieties of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) are most commonly known for their desirable turf characteristics that are well adapted for use on golf course greens, tees, and fairways in cool season climates. 



Golf courses that were established over 100 years ago in cool season climates would most likely have used "common forms" of wild growing bentgrass seed as collected from naturally growing fields of bents that primarily consisted of a varying mix of Creeping (Agrostis stolonifera or A. palustris), Colonial or browntop (Agrostis tenuis or Agrostis capallaris), and Velvet bentgrasses (Agrostis canina).

Photo: That is me hitting a drive at the Dunbar Golf Club, East Links, Scotland.  This golf course is situated on a narrow strip of land on the North Sea.  Golf has been played in and around Dunbar since the early part of the 17th century.  The grasses, including fescues and bentgrasses, have been thriving on this seaside links, in place, for centuries.

In more modern times, for over 70 years, a few dedicated and trained scientists, known today as turfgrass breeders, have been collecting bentgrasses.  It is the act of collecting bentgrass plants that provided the opportunity to identify plants that have been growing, surviving, and performing well on older, well established golf courses.

Photo:  Bentgrasses growing on golf greens segregate into dinstinct patches that display a variation of colors, leaf textures, density, and disease resistant characteristics.

For fairways and tees, it is both creeping bentgrass and the Colonial / browntop species that have received attention for breeding improved varieties.

For closely maintained putting greens, it is creeping bentgrass that has proven to be the most adaptable to the lower mowing and has the most promise for variety improvement.

Looking far and wide for that special plant...

The goal has always been to find the idealistic 'one in a million' rare bentgrass plant -- those unique plants that display improved qualities with special adaptive traits that have allowed these plants to survive on a golf green, under extensive foot traffic and low mowing, for many, many years.

The plant types breeders look for include those with a finer leaf, greater turf density, more upright growing, with a pleasing leaf color and freedom from the most common diseases.

These bentgrass plant collections selected by trained turfgrass breeders are called "germplasm" -- plants that will be evaluated and may be of use in a breeding program designed to develop varieties with improved qualities useful for seeding or sodding golf greens, tees, and fairways.

As in all forms of life, qualities within species are variable.  It is the job of the turfgrass breeder to locate and identify qualities, and quantify those traits using the scientific approach of replicated trials.  Equally as important is to develop and institute a process of selective mating, using "elite germplasm," to develop a new variety offering the desired improved qualities.

As turfgrass breeders, we understand it may take thousands of plants collected to find that one rare plant that has some of the qualities that may be useful for inclusion in a breeding program.

Over the years bentgrass collection trips have landed on thousands of golf courses, mostly old ones, in locations far and wide, east to west, north to south, through Canada, the US and parts of Europe, all looking for that "special" bentgrass plant.  

For all of the plants collected, historically, approximately 95 - 98% of the plants will be discarded after side by side  evaluations with other bentgrasses.  It is those "lucky finds" that are retained and utilized in a breeding project designed to developed varieties well adapted for use on a golf courses.

University trained turf breeders have instituted breeding processes, employing assorted mating recurrent selection, designed to enhance desirable qualities in bentgrasses intended for use on green, tees, and fairways.

The goal is to develop new varieties of bentgrass that are best adapted for use on closely clipped putting greens, as well as identifying varieties that will require less fungicide use.

Investing years to develop one genetically enhanced variety.

Having patience is most important, as it typically takes an investment in time of approximately 12 to 15 years to collect germplasm, evaluate, breed, and commercially release one new variety.   

The following is a simplified example of the bentgrass breeding process.

• Collecting plants from old established turfs. For over 100 years and ongoing.

• Identifying plants with desirable qualities.  Minimum of 2 years and onging.

• Selective mating recurrent selection, 3 to 6 years.  One year for each cycle.

• Establish a breeder block -- identify the most elite parental plants -- minimum of 3.  One year.

• Use the breeder seed to establish a foundation field. One year.

• Use the foundation field seed to establish certified production       fields. One year.

Photo: June, 2019. This new 007XL bentgrass variety represent eight elite parents, randomly replicated  six times in a breeder nursery.  Seed harvested from this nursery will be used to establish a foundation then certified production fields in the State of Oregon. Seed Research of Oregon will have exclusive world wide production and marketing rights to this new variety.

If the breeding process is rushed or haphazard mistakes are allowed to occur, this may result in having a variety that has some redeeming qualities along with undesirable traits -- such as excessive thatch production, a puffy spongy surface, or susceptibility to a specific turf disease.

If the process is followed correctly, one must invest thousands of hours using the efforts of a trained and dedicated staff to breed one new genetically enhanced bentgrass variety that will perform up to the intended expectations.

What is obvious are the generational improvements in creeping bentgrass that have allowed golf course superintendents the opportunity to utilize these advanced generation varieties for seeding/sod golf course playing surfaces.

Remarkable scientific accomplishments.

What we now have, through the efforts of genetically enhanced breeding, is a total transformation of random creeping bentgrasses,"wild strains," into highly refined varieties. These advanced generation bentgrass varieties are best adapted for closely mown greens and for use on fairways and tees, allowing for more disease resistant turfs. This is truly a remarkable scientific accomplishment.

The newest generation of improved creeping bentgrass varieties have been bred to tolerate a mowing height of cut down to .100 of an inch (2.54 mm). Even while maintained under the lowest height of cut these advanced generation varieties will produce a resilient putting surface on greens.

A high priority within the Rutgers University breeding program has been to develop bentgrass varieties that offer a greater genetic resistance to  fungal diseases, to include dollar spot, brown patch, anthracnose, and snow mold.   With each cycle of bentgrass breeding, the overall performance values for selected varieties has been significantly improved -- finer leaved, denser turf, greater disease resistance / less fungicide use -- all while producing a more resilient and attractive turf.

The major historical generational improvements in

bentgrass breeding.

1st generation variety - Seed of the variety Penncross was commercially released in the 1950's.  Penncross, with its coarse broad leaves and more open turf, does not provide the qualities necessary to tolerate the closest mowing heights on greens as is expected by today's golfers. At this time, Penncross is seriously antiquated and would not be recognized by a majority of turfgrass specialists as an educated choice for those who are attempting to produce the highest quality turfs on golf greens.

2nd generation varieties - Pennlinks, Penneagle, Providence, Cobra, Putter, and SR1020 were popular for use on golf greens in the 1980's. These varieties are considered completely obsolete when compared to the most recent advanced generation bentgrasses. Most typical of the 2nd generation varieties is the overall reliance on frequently applied fungicides necessary to control the most common turf diseases.

Also, these 2nd generation varieties will struggle to maintain a dense turf when maintained under the lowest height of cut on greens.  This one factor alone allows for a greater opportunity for Poa annua invasion into a bentgrass turf seeded to the 1st or 2nd generation varieties.

3rd generation varieties - Southshore, L-93, Crenshaw, Cato, A1, A4, G2, G6 were widely accepted and utilized on greens in the 1990's. These varieties were recognized for providing a finer and denser turf and proven to be a significant advancement compared to the first two generations of bentgrasses.

However, at this time, in the 2020's, these 3rd generation bentgrass varieties are seriously dated, as each of these varieties are now approximately 25 years old.

Using Rutgers University turfgrasss evaluation trials as a guide, the A-1 and A-4 varieties do not meet up with the performance standards of the 4th generation varieties. This fact has been well documented in the NTEP.org bentgrass evaluation trials.   

4th generation varieties - Some examples include; 007, 777 (Triple Seven), Tyee, SR1119, Flagstick and McKenzie. Recognized as "advanced generation" bentgrasses these varieties have been shown to be a convincing improvement over the first three generations of varieties.  The variety 007 alone has been identified as "the standard in the 2000's" for use in cool season climates -- extremely versatile for seeding greens, tees, and fairways.

Photo:  007 bentgrass seeded on the greens at Lake Karrinyup Golf Club, Perth, Australia.  This is a classic 1920's designed course noted for hosting the Australian Open, as both Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player can claim to have won a major golf event on this course.

Photo:  Lake Karrinyup engaged in a total greens renovation project in 2017 - 2018 and selected 007 bentgrass for seeding greens. 

007 bentgrass has proven to be widely adaptable, as this one bentgrass variety has been seeded on over 600 golf course in Japan and over 2,000 golf courses in the US, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Russia.  Seed Research of Oregon is the exclusive producer and world wide marketer of 007 seed -- of the highest standards tested to be free of undesirable crop and weeds to include Poa annua and Poa trivialis.

2020 Olympics will be played on 007 bentgrass greens...

Photo:  007 bentgrass seeded on the greens at the Kasumigaseki CC, Tokyo, Japan.  This course will host the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic games for both men's and women's golf.

Exceptional heat tolerance and widely adaptable...

Uncovering special qualities, for example, the 777 (Triple Seven)  bent variety has shown to offer a quick establishment from seed, exceptional heat tolerance, and the ability to produce a fine leaved and dense turf surface, all while being maintained at a tournament cutting height on greens -- down to .100 of an inch (2.54 mm). Seed Research of Oregon is the exclusive seed producer and world wide marketer for the variety 777 - seed tested to be of the highest quality and free of undesirable crop and weeds to include Poa annua and Poa trivialis.  

777 performing in the heat, Forth Worth,Texas

Photo:  777 (Triple Seven) bentgrass at the Shady Oaks Golf Club, Forth Worth, Texas.  777 bentgrass has shown excellent heat tolerance in this warm summer climate.  All greens will be converted to 777 in the Spring of 2020.

777 performing well in Bowling Green, Kentucky

Photo:The Olde Stone Club, "Sinkhole" nine hole par 3 course in Bowling Green, Kentucky seeded 777 on the new greens -- spring 2019.  Additionally, the 23,000 square feet 777 green offers a unique putting course experience.

777 does nicely in Tokyo, Japan

Photo: 777 (Triple Seven) bentgrass was seeded on the greens at the Chyoda Country Club, Tokyo, Japan in May of 2019. This eight months old 777 bentgrass green has prouduced an attractive, fine leaved and dense putting surface.  The photo was taken on a cold wintery day in January 2019 and represents how 777 has maintained a uniform and pleasing green color. 

777 sod selected to regrass greens in Richmond, Virginia

Photo:  Late fall 2019 sodding of 777 bentgrass on the greens at the CC of Virginia, Richmond, VA. 

Photo: New 777 sod installed on all of the greens at the CC of Virginia in late October, November and early December of 2019.

777 greens are performing exceptionally well, on the Black Sea,

in Southern Russia

Photo:  Michael Puchkov is admiring the newly established turf at the Glenendzhik Golf Resort, on the Black Sea, in Southern Russia - 2018.  This new Paul Thomas design has 777 (Triple Seven) greens, fairways seeded to a bentgrass seed blend consisting of the varieties 007 / MacKenzie / SR1119.  The roughs, green and bunker surrounds were seeded to a SR turf type tall fescue seed blend.

Some improved varieties may have issues of concern...

Without frequent funcide applications to control dollar spot, genetically susceptible varieties have the potential to be severly damaged by this disease. It is important to recognize a few 4th generations varieties that are highly susceptible to the dollar sport disease -- to include Pure Distinction, Independence, T-1 and Alpha.

Photo: In this picutre the bentgrass variety Pure Distinction is displaying severe damage from the dollar sport disease -- in a turf trial at Rutgers University.

Photo below:  Rutgers turf field day, July 2021.

777 left, 007XL center, 007 right.

5th generation variety - The 007XL sets a new standard for creeping bentgrass performance -- 007XL is the most advanced "Super BentTM" variety to be commercially released. 007XL is not an improved 007 but a totally unique variety that dispalys enhanced disease resistance, is fine textured, will produce a dense turf that is not prone to scapling all while tolerating a close height of cut on putting greens. 007XL has shown to be widely adaptable to perform equally well for seeding or sodding greens, tees and fairways -- a unique quality to offer a wide range of uses on golf courses in cool season and transition climates.  Seed of 007XL will be available in limited quanties in 2021.

Photo taken January 25, 2021.  007XL seeded in October 2020 at the Colonial Golf Club -- nursery green, Ft. Worth, TX. 

Generations of improvements do make a difference.

Using an analogy with the selection of golf clubs, "Would a PGA Tour golfer select a persimmon wood driver for use at the Masters Tournament." The answer is obvious, a PGA Tour golfer is most likely using an advanced generation club and shaft designed to produce the best qualities for performance.

My advice for golf course superintendents and golf course architects is to assume this same discriminating criteria when searching to identify the most advanced, adaptable, and performance based bentgrass to specify for seeding or sodding  greens, fairways, and tees.

One point is clear:  Over the past 20 years, the Rutgers University bentgrass breeding program has been dominant in developing varieties possessing the most advanced turf qualities, to include genetically enhanced disease resistance.  There is no comparison.

Photo below: 007XL at the Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, TX.