In a state where heat, shade and heavy use all collide, finding a grass that can handle real conditions matters. That is exactly what Travis Sales set out to test in Texas.
Sales, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Rockwall, oversees everything from sports fields and playgrounds to irrigation across the park system. As he put it, “If it’s in a park, we manage it.” After retiring from a 32-year career with the City of Mesquite, he stepped right back into the work, retiring on a Friday and starting with Rockwall the following Monday in July 2017.
With more than 40 years in the industry, Sales has been heavily involved with the Texas Turfgrass Association (TTA) over the past two decades, including serving as past president in 2010 and 2014 and as a long-time board member. Through that involvement, he stays closely connected to new varieties entering the market and stresses the importance of trialing them in the field.
One of those is Lobo® Zoysia, a newer grass developed by North Carolina State University, released in 2021. Sales first heard about Lobo through TTA and conversations with Sod Solutions. “I decided to do some real-world testing,” he said.
Pictured above: Lobo® Zoysia installed at City of Rockwall sites showing early establishment and density.
That testing includes multiple sites with very different challenges. Installations at the city’s historic museum include both full-sun and shaded areas, while the police station site is “almost 100% shade.” Another location sits under a large live oak where grass has struggled to grow in the past. All were sodded in July 2025 by Sales’ team using Lobo supplied by Murff Turf through Sod Solutions Professionals for sourcing and logistics. Early performance has stood out, even through recent swings in Texas weather, with temperatures ranging from the mid-90s one day to the low 60s just days later.
Lobo® Zoysia installed at the City of Rockwall.
“The one thing I did notice about Lobo is that it rooted extremely quickly for a zoysia,” he said. “We were throwing down roots at the end of week one.” He added that the establishment paid off, with foot traffic within a few days of installation.
“Once it’s on the ground, you cannot dig through the canopy and touch soil; it is so thick,” he said, noting the density even affected mowing early on. He added they had to adjust mowing with a push mower and that it requires slightly more attention than bermudagrass.
Compared with previous grasses in these areas, Lobo is showing improved performance, especially in shade. “Some of the areas I’ve got it in get less than two to three hours of sun a day, and so far it’s doing great.” While zoysia does require some adjustment compared to bermuda, management has been straightforward with only minor changes, such as slightly higher mowing heights in shaded areas. Sales is now looking ahead to a full growing season, but early observations are strong.
He is also evaluating Cobalt Hybrid® St. Augustine alongside Lobo at the police station and said he has been very happy with its performance so far.
Sales has also begun sharing those early observations, recently speaking to more than 150 attendees at a Rockwall County course, Homeowners Guide to Landscaping, where he included Lobo Zoysia and its maintenance in the discussion. Hosted in partnership with the North Texas Municipal Water District and AgriLife Extension, the program focuses on practical tools and guidance for homeowners. Another session is scheduled for April 25.
Through that work, Sales emphasized the importance of continued education on turfgrass, especially as newer varieties improve drought tolerance and water-use efficiency. “It doesn’t have to be a water hog anymore like the varieties did in the past.”
Now managing several thousand square feet of Lobo, Sales is among the early end-users of the variety in Texas, with more insight expected as it moves through its first full growing season.
This article was written by Cecilia Johnson.
Pictured above: Cobalt Hybrid® St. Augustine under evaluation alongside Lobo® Zoysia at the City of Rockwall police station.
Pictured above: At home, Travis Sales maintains Celebration® Bermudagrass at a 1/8-inch cut, earning Yard of the Month recognition and reflecting the same attention to detail he brings to Rockwall’s parks.
