First off I would like thank Jon Kiger for the work he put into creating an amazing first week in Ireland. I won't know what to do only working 8 hours a day instead of the 15 with Jon. I appreciate the hard work you did to get some great visits with superintendents and field managers around Ireland.

On Monday I started my internship at Mount Juliet. Starting work at 7 o'clock, I was put out on cup and tee change with Shem, the irrigation tech, who started in 1995 part time and 1997 full time. This was a great way for me to get to know the course and learn a little about the history of the course. The afternoon consisted of bunker work to get bunkers in shape. 

After work, Jon and I went to the town of Callan to visit a local hurley maker Eric Roche. More to come on the sport of hurling, an Irish game excelled at by the county of Kilkenny! Afterward we caught a bite to eat with Eamonn and Margaret Fitzgerald at La Rivista in Kilkenny. One of the great things about Ireland is the music nights in the pubs. This night we went to Cleeres for an Irish music session that was great. 

Tuesday I was put on mowing tees and collars. The tees mowers mow the previous hole collar to reduce time that the approach mower needs. In the afternoon I did my first rough mow to get used to the Jacobsen rough mowers. It was good to get back out on the course and work a little. 

Today I was on more bunker work all day. Two other employees and I weeded and raked all of the bunkers on the course. I never knew how many bunkers there were on the course, but now I know each one on each hole. Since some of the bunkers are large and relatively flat, a SandPro is used to speed up time on bunkers and makes fewer people needed. All week the course has been getting a light topdressing of sand. Important areas are being hit to get ready for the upcoming season. 

Me with Superintendent Aidan O'Hara.

Shem teaching me

Sand topdressing going down