HAMPSHIRE'S high-ranking amateur golfers could have their first playing captain for over a decade when former English champion Kevin Weeks takes over the reins from Lionel Smith.

Brokenhurst Manor clubman Weeks was announced as captain-elect at the Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Channel Islands Golf Union annual meeting.

Next year he will assist Smith, the latest in a long line of non-playing captains, who has just led the county to the South East Counties League championship.

Weeks will also help North Hants clubman Smith to run the Hampshire colts team in 2001 after the resignation of manager Norman Barnes.

When Smith does step down, either in 2002 or 2003, Weeks will be superbly qualified to step in as captain. Although now in his early 40's, he's still an integral part of the county side and played a leading role in a crushing 9-2 victory over Essex in the South East Counties final only two months ago.

Weeks played league and county championship golf for Hampshire for over 25 years and, despite a nagging back problem, he shows no sign of giving up. Indeed, when Smith left him out of a match against Kent during the summer, Weeks' pride was bruised and he came back firing on all cylinders for the clash with Essex.

Weeks has been dubbed one of the great two-timers of Hampshire golf, having won the county youth, senior and mid-amateur (over-35) titles twice each. His English title win came against county team-mate Bobby Eggo back in the 1980s.

Barnes, a clubmate of Weeks at Brokenhurst Manor, steps down after two years as colts manager to concentrate on earning an historic first cap at seniors level.

There are six graded events next year which will count towards selection for England's first ever seniors (over-55) international against Ireland.

Barnes, now 58, still plays off a handicap of two and is one of the south's top players at over-55 level. He says: "I desperately want to play in England's first official international, so I'll need to play in all the main ranking events which means, of course, I won't have the time to look after the colts."

John Nettell, retiring president of the Hampshire Union, has played a major role in winning international status for the seniors, despite stiff competition from major counties like Yorkshire.

There are already plans to follow the Irish match with internationals against the other home countries, Scotland and Wales.