Arizona’s FireRock CC Stadium Zoysia installation project eliminates overseeding

Firerock Country Club in Fountain Hills, Ariz., has eliminated overseeding with its Stadium Zoysia installation project. The club expects to save over 40 million gallons of water annually, while allowing year-round play on its desert course.

FireRock is known for its stunning views of the desert landscape with carved-out canyons. The 18-hole course, designed by Gary Panks, spans 7,003 yards and is defined by its vibrant greens that contrast with the sun-drenched scenery.

During an irrigation replacement project in 2019, Firerock began reassessing its operations in Arizona’s desert climate. Increasing water demands, rising salinity levels and inconsistent turf performance were issues that made the standard practice of overseeding ryegrass in the winter difficult to sustain.

By implementing Stadium Zoysia, a turfgrass developed by Bladerunner Farms, and supplied by licensed grower West Coast Turf, sustainability and playability are balanced. The variety can replace these traditional practices with a more sustainable, water-efficient solution. Due to the dense zoysia canopy, members report exceptional playability, including the ability to hit a “driver off the deck.” The club has even challenged players to make divots.

“Our water supply was once described as the worst in the Southwest,” said FireRock General Manager Tim Geesey. “We were following the same practices as everyone else in town trying to get the grass to grow, and we just couldn’t. We were spending all this money and wasting all this water for nothing. Now, we’ve created a solution that positions us for the future.”

Before its reopening in 2025, FireRock leadership partnered with architect Gary Brawley on infrastructure improvements that would maintain the design of the course while implementing new turfgrass. A new drainage system was installed, and 6 inches of topsoil were removed to create the course’s new foundation on high-performance turf conditions.

The turf’s durability is strong and creates a consistent, clean aesthetic, redefining FireRock. While other regional courses close for traditional overseeding, FireRock expects an upturn in attendance, the project has given them a distinct competitive edge during the fall season.

“FireRock Country Club had the vision to take a necessary leap forward,” said David Doguet, CEO and founder of Bladerunner Farms. “What they’ve accomplished is more than a renovation; it’s a reset of what’s possible for golf in desert environments. This project proves that courses no longer have to choose between playability and sustainability, they can achieve both.”