Are you immortal if you name a grass variety?

Some people believe that the good product names have all been taken. Is that true? Who knows? But have you ever wondered how new grass varieties are named?

Well, wonder no more – and perhaps become a variety namer – because on the show floor this week Team Zoysia (booth 432) will take suggestions from GIS attendees to name two new zoysiagrass putting green varieties. And you could win a new Scotty Cameron putter for your trouble.

And no, you can’t name it after your girlfriend. OK, maybe you can. Ask.

The two new, as yet unnamed zoysia greens grasses were developed by renowned turfgrass breeder David Doguet of Bladerunner Farms in Poteet, Texas. The grasses currently are known as M85 and M60, designations used during the research and trial period.

M85 is a fine-textured zoysiagrass for greens, tees and fairways has a naturally dark green color with slow vertical growth. Mowing will be reduced in every area of use, according to Team Zoysia. Leaves grow from the rhizomes at 90 degrees, producing less grain than other varieties. M85 was selected for genetic color, disease resistance and growth habit. It has shown great promise for greens in San Antonio and Atlanta, and has excellent cold-weather color retention in those locations. The texture is as fine as the ultradwarf bermudagrasses, the company says.

M60 provides a fine-textured putting surface with good recuperative potential for tees and fairways. It has a natural dark green color along with reduced vertical growth rate. M60 was selected for fine texture, an extensive rhizome system, disease resistance and growth habit.

“Zoysia for greens is the future of golf,” Doguet says. “We are so excited to introduce these new varieties at the 2017 Golf Industry Show and give attendees the opportunity to see them up close.”

Potential grass names submitted by attendees at this week’s show will be considered for use on either of the grasses. Name selection will be made following the legal due diligence and trademark requirements common for new product naming. Attendees who submit a potential grass name will be entered into a drawing to win a new Scotty Cameron putter with an approximate retail value of $300. The winner will be selected from all names submitted, no matter if the name eventually is used in commerce.

Both grasses will be renamed and officially released by 2018.

Bladerunner Farms is the world’s largest privately held zoysiagrass and buffalograss research and development facility, and works in conjunction with the University of Georgia to conduct research. Grasses are licensed for sod production by Doguet Ventures and The Turfgrass Group and outside of the U.S. by Team Zoysia International. Bladerunner Farms is headquartered in Poteet, Texas, just south of San Antonio. For more information, go to info@bladerunnerfarms.com, bladerunnerfarms.com or call (830) 276-4455.