By Amanda Little

Last updated 05:20, Friday, 19 December 2008

CARLISLE golfer Martin Hand is set for one of the greatest honours in county golf after being named as the next Cumbria captain – just four years after his playing debut.

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The 37-year-old has been named as Cumbria’s new vice-captain and will take over the top job from Cliff Heath in 2010.

The honour caps the resurgence in Hand’s amateur career.

He gave up the game at the age of 18, didn’t pick up a golf club again until he was 25 and didn’t earn a place in the county team until he was 33.

But he has made rapid strides since then to rediscover his hunger for golf and become one of Cumbria’s top players.

The Carlisle member, from Lowry Hill, has a handicap of plus one and celebrated his biggest success after returning to the game when he finished tied fourth in the European Mid-Amateur Championship in Poland in June.

Heath is now president elect of the Cumbria Union of Golf Clubs and will take over as president in 2011.

Hand said: “Cliff spoke to me several months ago about taking over as captain.

“I still feel as if I have something to offer as a player in 2009 so Cliff will continue as captain next year, which all the teams wanted because he’s doing a great job.

“It’s a great honour to captain the county team and I’m looking forward to taking over from Cliff.

“I’ve got some big boots to fill because the team won the league under Terry Rhodes’ captaincy, and has had two high finishes in the league under Cliff.

“We were only beaten to the title by Yorkshire and Lancashire, which was absolutely no disgrace.

“My first aim when I do take over will be to try to carry on the good work that’s going on at the moment.”

Hand, a contracts manager for an electrical company, gave up the game for seven years because of work.

Within two years of taking up golf again his handicap was down to scratch.

He won his singles match on his county debut against Lancashire at Penrith in 2004.

He said: “It took me a while to break into the Cumbria team because it was such a successful team and very strong.

“I worked a lot with my fellow player Nicky Bell and I’m now coached at Carlisle Driving Range by Jimmy Latta and Craig Goodfellow.

“I’m starting to play better and find more consistency, so I want to continue playing for another year.”