Dennis Carter is an institution at Northland Golf Club . The 83-year-old - Den to his mates - and the 30-year-old dark green golf cart he found in Waipu last year, can be seen around around the traps most Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in the club's weekly competitions. Carter says he's playingas much golf as the body can handle. "After a couple of strokes and a heart attack I just take each day as it comes, you never know where you will be tomorrow." Carter, who still possess a copybook swing, occasionally plays to his age in the stableford competition, and said the older he gets, the easier it is to make his age. "I first played to my age when I was 72, and have hit my age a few times over the years. But your hitting goes a bit off the older you get, along with your putting and chipping," he said. One thing he was certain of though, golf keeps him sprightly. Having taught himself and his wife (who no longer plays) how to play back in 1970, the oldest Northland Golf Club member is right at home on the course, zipping about in possibly the oldest golf cart in town. Northland Golf Club Men's Competition coordinator Keith Dallas described Carter as a rare breed of golfer who added character to the weekly contest and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Over the years, Carter has chipped into assist with club maintenance such as painting the club house ceiling with three coats of paint to cover the smoke stains, green upkeep as well as serving on various committees. The club stalwart is a valued member and welcome sight on the course, and while Carter said he had no idea how long he would keep playing, odds are on he'll be found on the course, along with his green cart for a while longer yet.
