Benefits of TifSport

Setting A New Standard In Turfgrass Excellence

In 1959, Tifway (419) was released. It became the turfgrass standard for fairways, sports fields, home lawns and other areas where fine-textured, dark green, dense, weed free, warm-season turf was desired. Many varieties have entered the turf market sine Dr. Glenn Burton released Tifway, but none have equaled Tifway's performance and superior turf characteristics... Until Now!

Now there'sTifSport (Tift 94), a product developed from the same turfgrass breeding program that produced Tifway, Tifgreen, and Tifdwarf. Dr. Wayne Hanna, USDA/ARS geneticist, and his turf genetics group at the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station at Tifton were challenged to develop a superior hybrid bermudagrass that was both cold-hardy and able to thrive in today's demanding sports turf conditions: Intense cart and foot traffic, closer and more frequent mowings, and the ever-present threat of pest damage. The result of their research and development brings us TifSport -- a superior bermudagrass that meets these challenges and sets a new standard in turfgrass excellence.

Superior Cold-Hardiness

TifSport features the cold-hardiness of Midiron, with the rich color and fine texture of Tifway. Most other bermudagrass varieties which have equal or possibly superior cold tolerance are common types and thus are prolific seed-head producers with coarser leaf texture and less sod density than TifSport. Under some conditions, TifSport will remain green longer than Tifway and will green-up earlier in the spring.

The data below shows that TifSport produced good quality turf as far north as Lexington, KY.; Stillwater, OK.; and Franklin, TN. The data from Franklin and Stillwater demonstrate TifSport is significantly more cold-hardy than Tifway or Tifgreen.

Mole Crickets Do Not Prefer TifSport

TifSport has improved pest tolerance. Over a decade of research trials indicate the tawny mole cricket prefers TifSport less than other bermudagrasses*, resulting in significantly less turf damage.

* Note: Even though TifSport shows non-preference by the mole cricket, come chemical control may be necessary depending on the level of mole cricket infestation and availability of other food sources.

TifSport Offers Genetic Purity

TifSport is grown and sold in a way that protects its genetic purity. The turfgrass manager can purchase TifSport from a licensed grower and be assured that the genetics of the grass purchased today will match the grass he purchases five, ten, or twenty years from now, a very important benefit when you get ready to reconstruct certain areas.

TifSport is protected by a USDA patent.

TifSport can only be vegetatively propagated, so all offspring plants are identical to the parent plant.

TifSport is grown and sold only as genetically certified sod/sprigs to ensure purity and uniformity.

TifSport is available only through Tift 94 Growers Association, Inc. members/growers, a select group of certified sod producers who have agreed to adhere to stringent rules intended to maintain the genetic purity of TifSport.

The members/growers of the Association follow rules and guidelines developed by the Georgia Seed Development Commission and are regulated by each State Seed Certification Agency.

All TifSport grown and sold by the certified Tift 94 Growers Association, Inc. members/growers is genetically identical and, under consistent management, will show no variations in color or appearance.

Strong and Flexible Under Pressure

In addition to its beautiful emerald green color, TifSport is also attractive to turf managers for its high density and tensile strength. TifSport remains strong and flexible and retains its color under stressful growing conditions. It delivers excellent performance at close mowing heights and offers rapid regeneration from divot and sports activity damage.

The playing field is not level when it comes to bermudagrass. TifSport offers definite advantages that make it the leader by which new standards will be set.

TifSport