An estate in Grand Rapids has a grass tennis court. You can safely assume that it is what species?

• A. Creeping Bentgrass
• B. Kentucky Bluegrass
• C. Bermudagrass
• D. Tall Fescue

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that grass tennis courts need a turf that can be kept extremely smooth and uniform, even under heavy play, by mowing very short and maintaining a dense, fine texture. Creeping Bentgrass fits this requirement because it has an ultra-fine leaf texture and forms a very dense, smooth turf when mowed at low heights, which minimizes irregularities that could affect ball bounce. In Grand Rapids’ cool-season climate, bentgrass performs well with proper management—adequate irrigation, fertility, and regular aeration—to sustain a tight surface that players expect from a high-quality court. Warm-season Bermudagrass wouldn’t thrive in this climate and would go dormant in winter. Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue can make good lawns, but they don’t achieve the ultra-smooth, near-seamless surface required for tennis play at the very low mowing heights.