Single seed origin creeping bentgrass ('Penncross') clonal lines were screened to find genetic heterogeneity, which reflected diversity of phenolic production linked to cold stress within a cross-pollinated cultivar. In this study, total soluble phenolic and antioxidant activity varied among 20 creeping bentgrass clonal lines, confirming wide heterogeneity in this cross-pollinated species. Correlations between phenolic content and proline-associated pentose phosphate pathway were also found among the clonal lines. The active metabolic role of proline in cellular metabolic adjustment to cold stress and its support for likely energy synthesis via mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was inferred in creeping bentgrass clonal lines based on the activity of proline dehydrogenase. Results of photochemical efficiency of these clonal lines after cold temperature treatment (4 degrees C) also indicated a close association between stress tolerance and proline-associated pentose phosphate pathway regulation for phenolic biosynthesis and antioxidant response. This study provides a sound metabolic based rationale to screen bentgrass clonal lines for enhanced cold stress tolerance. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.