GN-1 Thriving In Ravens Stadium

BALTIMORE -- After three games as the new turf of choice at Baltimore's Ravens Stadium, Greg Norman's patented hybrid bermudagrass GN-1 has thus far passed the demanding test with flying colors.

GN-1 was installed in the stadium two weeks before the team's first home game, and has since received rave reviews from players, coaches and stadium personnel after this season's first three home games.

One of those home games was a nationally televised Monday Night Football tussle with the Denver Broncos. Though the turf took a beating given that it had a relatively short amount of time to establish itself over a foundation of 1ˆ inches of dirt on the stadium floor, it weathered the storm, according to Ravens Stadium Head Grounds Keeper Vince Patterozzi.

"Television does not give an accurate depiction of how strong and stable that grass is," he said. "We mowed it as soon as the game was over and it looked like the grass had never been touched. GN-1 is incredibly durable."

GN-1 was the turf of choice at Ravens Stadium during the 2000 season. It replaced Tifsport as the playing surface this year. It was also used for Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami and Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa. In addition, GN-1 was featured in the 1999 World Series in Atlanta and the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

During a game, NFL athletes do an enormous amount of damage to a field. Not only does the turf have to stand up to this stress, but it also has to recover quickly and be ready for the next event.

"I was very pleased to watch the Monday Night game and see how well GN-1 performed," Norman said. "The entire Ravens organization is happy to have GN-1 back in the stadium, and I'm glad it has exceeded their expectations."

While the real test comes from heavyweights who lace up the cleats on Sundays, GN-1 will have a unique challenge Thanksgiving week. As Baltimore thermometers plunge, Ravens Stadium will host six football games in six days.

It starts with a November clash with the Tennessee Titans. Patterozzi and his crew will then have three days to turn the field around for a high school All-Star game Thanksgiving Day. Ravens Stadium will also host four Maryland high school state championship games Friday and Saturday.

While GN-1 is recognized as an industry leader for its rapid recovery, Patterozzi will have a much-needed two-week respite to catch up on sleep and ready the field for a Dec. 8 game with the New Orleans Saints.

Despite a 3-3 record, the Ravens have sole possession of the AFC North lead. That means it's a distinct possibility Baltimore could host a playoff game in December.

Patterozzi is prepared. He recently began overseeding GN-1 with rye grass, and is ready to replace the heavily trafficked area between the hash marks if necessary. However, if there are no lengthy cold stretches with accompanying blustery winds, Patterozzi said that might not be necessary -- unprecedented for bermudagrass at such a latitude.

GN-1 was developed in Australia in 1989, and was first marketed in the United States in 1995. It has become recognized as the finest sports turf available for high-wear venues like Ravens Stadium. It is a genetically pure strain of bermudagrass that has gained this reputation due to its ability to recover quickly from wear. It also maintains thick density and sustains excellent dark-green color.

Established in 1995, the Greg Norman Turf Company licensees four varieties of proprietary turfgrass in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.