I've just realized that it has been over a month since my last post about working on the course. My parents visit took up 16 days with 8 days here and 8 days writing.  Then I went on a 3 day trip to the Uk and Croke Park. So I have had a busy month. One last note before I get to the course work. Yesterday I ran in the 1st ever endurance obstacle race in Ireland. The race was only a 5K but was tough. I had been training for the race since my parents left and I felt great. I ran the course in 20:22 and placed 50th out of 433 participants. I had not even came close to that time training and I can only think of 3 reasons why I did so well. 

1. I did not work or bike 8 miles before hand. While training I would bike 4 miles into work, work usually mowing greens which is about 6 miles, then biking 4 miles home before running. 
2. Sand- supposed to make running harder, but for me the softness helped keep me from getting more sore. 
3. Obstacles- At each obstacle there was some time for waiting and the obstacle itself was a break from running.

To the course work. Lots of mowing has been going on with the cooler temperatures and more rain the grass is growing like a weed. Bunkers have been worked on adding sand and raking them to get ready for club events. Also with the new ownership some changes have happened. During my trip with me parents I was told by Aidan that some guys may be let go, but when I got back no one actually left as plans changed again. The hardest cut back was the greens aeration. This was supposed to occur during my UK trip last week, but was nixed. It's hard to see such an important practice not being done. Change will happen I just hope to good and bad even out and the course gets it due diligence.

Out at the putting course the bare minimum work has been put in. I have been busy mowing and doing other work on the course that I have been mowing the greens 1-2 times a week, the close rough and rough about once every two weeks. I would like to see the course get back into shape before I leave and with the grass growing faster I need to stay on top of the mowing more. On a bright note I have fertilize the putting course twice since I last wrote. I have been putting down a water soluble fertilizer, MegAlex a 3-0-0 fertilizer and 2.0% wetting agent, Legend (not on last spray) a 6% Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), and Wetting Agent. The final product used is Farmura Environmental Porthcawl. This product is a liquid organic feed made up of processed manure, seaweed, iron, wetting agent, and trace elements and amino acids. Porthcawl is supposed to increase microbial activity in the soil helping the grass grow better. I am trying to get the putting course in good shape before the I leave and hopefully the course will be in better shape next year if the ownership keeps the course.