An aggressive bent was needed to compete on golf courses. Professor Burt Musser took on the challenge by gathering bentgrass strains from several locations, and established a research and development program that integrated seedling vigor, seed yield, various soil types, aggressiveness, disease resistance, low mowing properties and overall appearance and color. After years of research, the finished product was named Penncross. Aggressiveness, vigor, and wear tolerance make Penncross a natural for tees and fairways as well as greens. Initially, Penncross received some criticism for being too vigorous and difficult to manage.
Superintendents find that reducing water and fertilizer produces the best results.
Penncross' ability to perform under a wide range of conditions make this bentgrass adaptable virtually worldwide. Golf course architects have specified Penncross for areas of extreme cold and heat, and Penncross has survived humidity where bermudagrass has been the standard. Early Penncross greens were established as far North as Anchorage, Alaska and Alberta, Canada as well as the warmer climate of Costa Pica, Spain, and Morocco. Now, the sun never sets on a Penncross green. Golfers in Australia, Asia, Africa and through out Europe have the same puttingadvantage as U.S. players, and world travelers feel at home at courses in remote destinations.