Authorities say a golfer used one of his clubs to fatally beat a Canada goose at a course in north Jersey.

Morris County Park Police say 54-year-old William Mitchell is charged with killing waterfowl. He could face fines if he's convicted of the charge.

Mitchell was playing on the 18th hole of the Sunset Valley Golf Course in Pompton Plains when the incident occurred last weekend.

Authorities say the Parsippany man hit a ball that landed near a nest that was being protected by a male goose. They say Mitchell was trying to retrieve his ball when he beat the goose, which eventually ended up in a nearby pond.

A telephone number for Mitchell could not be located Saturday.