Selecting Grass for a Sports Field: Q&A with Craig Potts, CSFM
After 27 years managing Texas A&M Athletics’ turfgrass operations, Craig Potts joined Sod Solutions Professionals in mid-2023 as project manager. Now working closely with sod farms and field facilities, he guides turfgrass selection and offers on-site support to groundskeepers. Here, Potts shares his insights on the factors, challenges and advancements shaping high-performance sports field turfgrass selection.
Q: What were the most crucial factors when choosing grass for sports fields, and how do regional climates play into that?
Potts: Early on, options were limited—primarily Tifway Bermudagrass. Common Bermudagrass was sometimes used on lower-priority fields like parks and recreation fields where aesthetics and durability might take a backseat. Later, we gained more choices with varieties like Tifsport. Today, turfgrass managers have a range of options including new bermudagrass varieties and other types like paspalum, zoysia, bluegrass and ryegrass.
My top priority was turfgrass purity—ensuring no contamination. Consistent quality was hard to find especially in the late 90s. I also looked at farm proximity to the site and the quality of its turfgrass. Availability for emergencies was also critical. The soil type from which turf is harvested is important too; if you have a sand-based rootzone, for instance, the sod farm should ideally have sand or washed sod to closely match. For football, certain bermudagrass varieties hold up better depending on a manager's preferences. The sport, climate and seasonal usage all play into that decision. A manager in a transition zone might opt for a grass that’s a better fit for both warm and cool seasons whereas in Texas, for example, bermudagrass is usually the clear choice.
Q: What maintenance needs were most important when selecting a grass, and how did you evaluate durability in your days at Texas A&M?
Potts: A daily mowing height of 0.5 inches was crucial to keeping the turfgrass dense and healthy. It also needed to perform well with minimal inputs for cost efficiency. Durability testing was ongoing not just during the game but also to assess how well the turfgrass handled winter and was ready for spring.
Q: How did the frequency and type of sport impact your decisions?
Potts: The type of sport and timing of use matter significantly. For example, softball in Missouri from February to May might call for bluegrass, while a football field used from March to December could benefit from one of the newer bermudagrass varieties. The stadium environment is a factor too; the amount of shade in some stadiums can create unique challenges.
Q: What role did soil prep and budget constraints play?
Potts: Soil preparation and testing were critical, especially regarding drainage needs. We often worked with a soil scientist to optimize the root zone while managing costs, ensuring we could deliver playable fields under various weather conditions.
Q: Can you share a challenge with grass selection and an example of a successful project?
Potts: Turfgrass purity was a recurring challenge. At one point, we transitioned from Tifway to Tifsport on our soccer fields. Over time newer bermudagrasses like Latitude 36® Bermudagrass and Northbridge® Bermudagrass were released and we began looking at those options. Latitude 36 became the clear first choice for us partly because we had a farm 70 miles from our fields that could supply me with a sandbase or washed high-quality turfgrass. The biggest project that helped me change all of my football fields from Tifway to Latitude 36 came from inter-sprigging Latitude 36 directly into a Tifway field following ryegrass overseeding, and transition in the spring. The Tifway was about at 30% coverage at this time and by sprigging the Latitude 36 into the Tifway, the Latitude took over and won the battle between the two grasses. (When Potts retired all sports fields at Texas A&M except the baseball outfield had Latitude 36 including the practice and game football, soccer, softball and baseball infield. The only change since is that the college’s new track has NorthBridge Bermudagrass.)
Craig Potts, CSFM preparing Kyle Field for a final game with his fellow grounds crew before retiring from Texas A&M University.
Q: What breeding advancements were most impactful in your career?
Potts: One of the most significant improvements was the newer bermudagrass varieties that helped transition from ryegrass overseeding. These varieties have a rich color and finer texture and recover quickly so they perform better under the wear of a high-use field.
Q: What’s your top advice for current sports field managers selecting grass?
Potts: First, consider the turfgrass farm’s ability to produce consistent quality and proximity to your site. Local sourcing supports quick turnaround when needed. Then choose a variety that meets your specific use and climate needs but is also available from a nearby quality source.
Q: How does Sod Solutions Professionals support turfgrass managers?
Potts: Sod Solutions helps turfgrass managers select the right grass types, connect with reliable farms and offer pre- and post-plant consultation. This can streamline sourcing and ensure quality at each stage.
Q: What’s the best way for field managers to stay up-to-date on turfgrass trends?
Potts: I recommend staying involved with state turfgrass associations and SFMA chapters. Discussing field management challenges with other managers is invaluable. Some of my best solutions came from learning what worked for others.
Q: What specific sod farm maintenance practices do you believe contribute most to producing high-quality grass for sports fields?
Potts: There are a few key steps farms can take to prepare grass for a sports field while it’s still growing. Some farms go the extra mile with pre-plant programs, including pre-mowing and fertilizing, to get the grass ready for its future site. We’ve worked with farms that keep the grass mowed at 0.5 inches, so it’s ready to perform immediately with less stress on the turf. I’d recommend farms be open to collaborating with end-users to meet the specific demands of each sports field.
Q: How can sod producers and sports field managers work together to improve grass performance in the long term?
Potts: Communication is key. When sod farms know the specific conditions and demands of a field—whether it’s shade, high foot traffic or seasonal usage—they can adjust practices like mowing height or nutrient applications. Sports field managers can provide feedback on how the grass performs, which can help farms fine-tune their approach to growing turfgrass for sports applications. This partnership can make a huge difference.
The University of Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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