The Beauty of DLF Genetics Stands Out at Black Desert

    This week, the PGA Tour makes its long-awaited return to Utah for the Black Desert Championship, a new addition to the Tour’s FedEx Cup Fall series...

    Black Desert Championship

    This landmark event marks the first time a PGA Tour competition will be held in the Beehive State since the Utah Open Invitational in 1963. The championship is part of a four-year partnership with Black Desert Resort and is set against the stunning backdrop of Ivins, just 40 miles from Zion National Park.

    Opened to the public in May 2023, Black Desert has earned accolades as the No. 1 golf course in Utah, as recognized by Golfweek's “Best Courses You Can Play”. The course spans 650 acres and features a breathtaking layout that measures 7,400 yards, including 19 holes and a 36-hole illuminated putting course. Designed by the legendary Tom Weiskopf, the course dives into the area's unique geology of prehistoric lava beds nestled among red rock mountains.

    ​A standout feature of Black Desert is its decision to plant creeping bentgrass, a cool-season grass, in southern Utah. Typically, courses plant bermudagrass in warm season climates and overseed with bentgrass during the winter months when the bermudagrass goes dormant. By planting bentgrass from the outset, Black Desert benefits from a permanent turf solution that eliminates the need for overseeding and the associated chemicals and fertilizers required for seasonal transitions.

    While some skeptics argue traditional bentgrass struggles during the hot summer months, significant advances in bentgrass genetics have mitigated these concerns, enabling the grass to thrive in warmer conditions. DLF Super Bents™ not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the course but also ensure that the turf performs at its best during the peak golf season—aligning with when the most players are on the course.

    DLF, the world market leader for natural turf, supplied all the seed for the course build in 2021. The course boasts OO7XL greens that average 7,000 square feet, offering a variety of pin positions that cater to both amateur golfers and the game's elite. The Dominator tees, fairways, approaches, and collars also feature a dynamic duo of Super Bents™, specifically OO7 and 777. Meanwhile, the World Cup roughs are a blend of DLF’s top-performing Kentucky bluegrass varieties: Arcadia, SR2100, and Mercury. Together, these grasses create a stunning contrast against the dramatic black lava fields and towering red cliffs, enhancing the course's playability and visual appeal.

    Televised coverage of the 2024 Black Desert Championship will be available on the Golf Channel, Peacock, and PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+. This event will also make history as the first PGA Tour tournament to utilize robotic fairway mowers, showcasing Black Desert's commitment to innovation and sustainability. Additionally, the golf course is the first Signature Sanctuary Platinum enrollee with Audubon International and utilizes​ gray water irrigation across its 75 acres of turf.

    Join us as we celebrate this historic moment at Black Desert!