Transforming Florida’s First Championship Course with Sustainable Turf Innovation
How rigorous field testing delivered 40 million gallons in annual water savings and a 31-metric-ton carbon transformation
The Challenge
Sebring International Golf Resort’s 27 holes faced mounting pressures: excessive water consumption, heavy chemical dependency, rising maintenance costs, and declining playing conditions. Traditional bermuda turf demanded constant irrigation, frequent fertilization, aggressive weed control, and intensive mowing—all while producing inconsistent surfaces.
Golf courses don’t gamble with unproven turf on championship layouts. The risk to playability and reputation is too high. But continuing on the current path wasn’t sustainable. We needed a solution that could reduce environmental impact, lower costs, and improve conditions simultaneously.
Our Approach
Initiated Strategic Partnership
We partnered with Star Turf Farms, exclusive grower of NorthBridge Bermuda in Florida, to test the variety under real-world championship course conditions.
Conducted Rigorous Field Test
Five-month trial (May-September 2023) on a 7,200 SF plot during Florida’s brutal rainy season. Protocol: water only first two weeks, zero fertilizer, no herbicides, seven mowings total to one-inch height. The turf thrived, naturally resisting weeds and maintaining density and color on rainfall alone.
Made Bold Recommendation
Based on documented field performance, we recommended Sebring become the first golf course in Florida to convert all 27 holes (45 acres) to NorthBridge Bermuda.
Managed Full Implementation
We coordinated the complete regrassing operation across the entire resort, ensuring successful establishment and minimal disruption.
“From 7 MT carbon emitter to 24 MT carbon sink. Best conditions in resort history.”
Environmental responsibility and exceptional playability aren’t competing goals—they’re complementary.
The Outcome
31 Metric Ton Carbon Transformation
The resort shifted from a 7 MT annual emitter to a 24 MT annual carbon sink—equivalent to removing 7 cars from the road permanently.
40 Million Gallons Saved Annually
Water consumption dropped 20-30% across 45 acres of maintained turf.
30%+ Mowing Reduction
Slower growth rates cut fuel, equipment wear, and labor costs while reducing emissions.
Minimal Chemical Dependency
NorthBridge’s natural density eliminated herbicide needs and dramatically reduced fertilizer applications.
Best Conditions in Resort History
Golfers reported superior playability, density, and consistency compared to previous turf.
Industry Leadership
As Florida’s first NorthBridge course, Sebring set a new sustainability benchmark that influenced courses statewide.
Why This Matters
Golf courses face a false choice: championship conditions or environmental responsibility. We proved both are possible.
The five-month field test was critical. We documented real-world performance under Florida’s toughest conditions—no controlled labs, no theoretical projections. The data drove our recommendation to make Sebring the first in Florida to implement NorthBridge at scale.
The result: A championship resort transformed from environmental liability to carbon-positive asset while achieving the best playing conditions in its history. Forty million gallons conserved. Thirty-one metric tons of carbon reversed. Costs reduced while quality improved.
