There are few things that ruffle golf course superintendents' feathers more than geese. The birds often flock to the links for grass, ponds and relative safety from predators.

Once they settle, the geese rarely leave. Or they migrate, only to return to nest.

And while they may be graceful birds, their presence on a golf course can be a nightmare.

"One goose goes [to the bathroom] 26 times a day," said Dan Robertson, golf course superintendent at The Westlake Golf & Country Club in Hardy. "Just imagine if you had 50 geese going as much."

Robertson doesn't have to imagine. He remembers coming to work at Westlake 10 years ago when the geese were, and went, everywhere.

But it's not just about dodging droppings or cleaning the greens. Geese also can be aggressive.

"If you get too close to their babies, they'll hiss," said Robertson. "I have had a few employees get chased, but never a golfer, I don't think."

Golf course owners use a variety of tactics to get rid of their geese, including eradication via hunting, poisoning and gassing.

About three years ago, Robertson found a more humane solution to the golf course's fowl problem. Her name is Mave.

The 5-year-old border collie tours the golf course every morning with Robertson to search for geese. Mave rides silently in the golf cart and stands at attention when they reach their destination.

Robertson uses a variety of hand gestures and vocal cues to direct her around the links, especially the ponds on the 18th hole. If Mave finds geese, she chases them off the greens.

"She won't hurt them," said Robertson. "She's chased the babies before and she got over [a gosling] one time and just sniffed it. She just likes to herd them."

It's what border collies are bred to do. For two years, Mave was trained on a farm to herd a variety of animals, including geese. Other golf courses around the country also use border collies to ward off geese, Robertson said.

"I thought it would work," he said. "But I'm really pleased with how well it worked."

Since Mave took up her daily patrols at Westlake, the geese population has all but disappeared. Two geese hatched their broods at the small island in a pond on the 18th hole this year, but Robertson said it's OK.

"We don't mind as long as they go somewhere else after that," he said.

The Willard Cos. also employs border collies at The Waterfront and The Water's Edge golf courses. Their payment: dog treats, pats on the head and scratches behind the ears.

"The golfers just love her," Robertson said of Mave.

So do the employees at the country club, who sneak her scraps when she's around. But Robertson said he's not worried about Mave gaining weight from all the treats. She's getting plenty of exercise warding off the geese.

Laurie Edwards works for the Laker Weekly. She can be reached at 721-4646 (ext. 406) or laurie@smithmountainlaker.com