Saving green: Meet the best furry friends of Ballantrae Golf Club

AFTER SUCH A HEAVY NEWS DAY, WE’D LIKE TO TAKE A MINUTE TO LIGHTEN THE MOOD. DOG GONE IT. YEAH. BELOVED GUARDIAN OF THE GREENS IS RETIRING AT A PELHAM GOLF COURSE. HE IS READY TO HANG UP HIS LEASH AND IS LEAVING BEHIND AN IMPRESSIVE LEGACY OF TURNING A COSTLY HEADACHE INTO A SUCCESS STORY. �� 13 BRITTANY DECKER SHARES SAVING GREEN. THE TALE OF TREY’S BEST FRIEND. MAKING HIS ROUNDS ON THE METICULOUSLY MANICURED GREENS. A SEASONED GROUNDSKEEPER PREPARING FOR HIS LAST DAY ON DUTY, THE BELOVED CARETAKER. NOT A MAN OF FAIRWAY FINESSE, BUT A FOUR LEGGED EMPLOYEE. WE GET HERE, HE GREETS EVERYONE, AND THEN WE HE PICKS OUT HIS FAVORITE GOLF CART AND THEN AWAY. WE GO. HIS NAME? DRIVER. HE’S A STOIC GOOFBALL, A GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER CHASING WINGED MISCHIEF MAKERS. SINCE HE WAS A PUP TO 100 AT ONE TIME. AND THOSE GEESE WERE STARTING TO COME ON TO THE GOLF COURSE HERE THROUGHOUT THE GOLF COURSE AND CAUSE DAMAGE. THE GEESE WERE PROBABLY NOT THAT INTIMIDATED BY HIM BECAUSE HE WAS VERY SMALL. YES, SMALL ENOUGH TO FIT IN A GOLF BAG. BUT AS HE GREW, SO DID HIS CONFIDENCE. HE’S KIND OF ALL BUSINESS LOOKING FOR GEESE. LET’S GO. AND OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, DRIVER TURNED THE CHASE INTO SAVING SOME SERIOUS DOUGH. WELL. OVER $50,000 WITH HIS KEEN NOSE UNWAVERING DEDICATION AND PLAYFUL SPIRIT, DRIVER LEAVES BEHIND MORE THAN JUST PAW PRINTS ON THE PRISTINE GREENS. UPON RETIREMENT, A LEGACY OF HUMANELY EVICTING THE FEATHERY INVADERS WHEN ALL ELSE FAILED. WE EVEN HAD A LIKE A FAKE COYOTE OVER HERE AT ONE TIME, AND ALLIGATOR HEADS. BUT FEAR NOT, FOR THERE’S A NEW TAIL ON THE TRAIL. MEET COMMANDER, A PASSING OF THE LEASH. YOU MAY SAY THIS ENERGETIC PUP READY TO CARRY ON THE TRADITION, BUT COMMANDER, HE JUST BARRELS ON IN AND HE HAS A WONDERFUL TIME JUST CHASING THEM. SO YEAH, IT HAPPENS REALLY FAST. AS FOR DRIVER’S RETIREMENT PLANS, WHAT’S HIS PLAN AFTER RETIREMENT? AFTER RETIREMENT, HE’LL PROBABLY BE TAKING IN SOME Z’S ON THE COUCH ALONG WITH ENJOYING SOME TIME AT PARKS AND BACK DOWN AT THE BEACH FOR SURE. HE LIKES THE WATER. HE LIKES THE BEACH. HE DOES. AND OF COURSE, A BALLANTRAE GOLF CART RIDE TO CHECK IN FROM TIME TO TIME, HE HAS TO MAKE SURE THAT HIS HIS JOB IS BEING TAKEN CARE OF. RIGHT? THAT’S RIGHT. NO PROBLEM WITH COMMANDER’S PAWS ON PATROL. A NEW TOP DOG NOW READY TO GUARD THE GREENS AND KEEP THE GEESE AT BA

A beloved guardian of the greens is retiring at Ballantrae Golf Club. This four-legged hero is ready to hang up his leash, leaving behind an impressive legacy of turning a costly headache into a success story.Making his rounds on the meticulously manicured greens, Driver, the club's dedicated German Shorthaired Pointer, prepares for his final day on duty. Known for his playful spirit and unwavering dedication, Driver has chased away pesky geese that once plagued the course.“Every morning, he greets everyone and picks out his favorite golf cart,�� said Hal Brown, the general manager of Ballantrae Golf Club. “He’s a stoic goofball.��>> COMING TOGETHER: Project CommUNITYSince he was a pup, Driver has been on a mission to keep the greens pristine, turning the chase into a significant savings. Over the past five years, he’s helped the club save over $50,000 by humanely evicting feathered invaders.In the early days, the geese were not intimidated by Driver, who was small enough to fit in a golf bag. But as he grew, so did his confidence, and he became all business when it came to his duties.Upon retirement, Driver leaves behind more than just paw prints on the greens. He leaves a legacy of protecting the course, even after other methods �� like fake coyotes and alligator heads �� failed to keep the geese at bay.Fear not, however; there’s a new tail on the trail. Meet Commander, the energetic pup ready to carry on the tradition.“He just barrels in and has a wonderful time chasing them,�� said Brown.As for Driver’s retirement plans? He’ll likely enjoy some well-deserved rest on the couch, take trips to the beach, and check in on the greens from time to time.With Commander’s paws now on patrol, the greens will continue to be protected from pesky invaders.>> FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

PELHAM, Ala. —

Making his rounds on the meticulously manicured greens, Driver, the club's dedicated German Shorthaired Pointer, prepares for his final day on duty. Known for his playful spirit and unwavering dedication, Driver has chased away pesky geese that once plagued the course.

“Every morning, he greets everyone and picks out his favorite golf cart,�� said Hal Brown, the general manager of Ballantrae Golf Club. “He’s a stoic goofball.��

>> COMING TOGETHER: Project CommUNITY

Since he was a pup, Driver has been on a mission to keep the greens pristine, turning the chase into a significant savings. Over the past five years, he’s helped the club save over $50,000 by humanely evicting feathered invaders.

In the early days, the geese were not intimidated by Driver, who was small enough to fit in a golf bag. But as he grew, so did his confidence, and he became all business when it came to his duties.

Upon retirement, Driver leaves behind more than just paw prints on the greens. He leaves a legacy of protecting the course, even after other methods �� like fake coyotes and alligator heads �� failed to keep the geese at bay.

Fear not, however; there’s a new tail on the trail. Meet Commander, the energetic pup ready to carry on the tradition.

“He just barrels in and has a wonderful time chasing them,�� said Brown.

As for Driver’s retirement plans? He’ll likely enjoy some well-deserved rest on the couch, take trips to the beach, and check in on the greens from time to time.

With Commander’s paws now on patrol, the greens will continue to be protected from pesky invaders.

>> FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: | | |

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Saving green: Meet the best furry friends of Ballantrae Golf Club

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