For some people it's like a lightning bolt, for others - like Michael Sims - it's an almost indiscernible moment; seemingly insignificant at the time but, upon reflection, a veritable watershed.

It is the instant when a life's destiny is sealed and suddenly a train of events are set in motion to rendezvous an individual with their fate.

The young Bermudian, now shouldering his country's aspirations of seeing one of their own some day tee off with the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els, traces his “moment” back to adolescence.

“I always wanted to be tennis player. It was all tennis. Then Brad Faxon (pro golfer from Rhode Island) came down and did a clinic when I was about 13. After that I don't remember picking up a tennis racquet again.

“I don't know, something just happened. I knew I wanted to pursue golf,” he says slowly but deliberately as if now realising that was when he sold his soul to the sport.

That life-defining choice gathered momentum as Sims showed promise, making the cut in several international junior tournaments like the Future Masters at about 14 or 15.

“I just kept improving. I liked the lifestyle of golf and I knew then I really wanted to be a golf professional,” notes the former Saltus senior student, who could have been eyeing ATP rankings rather than leaderboards had irons, drivers and birdies not intervened.

Fast forward a few years and the quest for golfing success is now truly underway.

“It's been great so far. My future is right there in front of me. I just need to go get it,” declares Sims, now 23 and in his rookie year as a pro golfer.

It is eight months since he announced he was going after the game's big guns and, as in his more youthful days, the returns are encouraging. He has played in five Buy.Com tournaments, his best finish being tied for 19th place at 14-under in the Dayton Open in Ohio.

What irks him though is thinking about how many more tournaments he was an “umph” away from making. He chuckles in his trademark, good-natured way but is hardly amused by his poor record in Buy.Com qualifier play-offs.

It was one out of three at the time of this interview - when Sims slipped into Bermuda to surprise his family during Cup Match week - but it is now one out of four.

“That's been the most frustrating. The first couple (play-offs) were tough but the third one was the hardest because it was four people vying for three spots and I knew the course from playing it in college. I was not a happy person (not qualifying).

“That's three (now four) more events I could have played in,” he points out matter-of-factly.

Given all its intrigue and gripping showdowns, golf can be an emotional, even draining, rollercoaster ride. Some scoff at players consulting psychologists, like South African Els did en route to the British Open championship a few weeks ago, but Sims subscribes to the practice.

“I talk to someone. He wouldn't be labelled a sports psychologist but he helps me with that side of it. You need someone to kick your butt when you're feeling sorry for yourself but you also need someone to lift you when you're down.

“You need that reassurance; someone to help you out mentally and get you ready for the next week.”

Citing Els' performance at the Open, the Bermudian notes psychological preparation comes to the fore when a golfer is struggling.

“He didn't have his best stuff but he still won. That's psychology - getting you to find a way to win when you don't have your best stuff.”

Looking into the distance as if picturing a day - maybe not too far away - when he will be in such a situation, Sims stresses it's mental toughness which makes the great ones just that - great - and the almost-greats wither to also-rans.

Mental strength is necessary away from the course also, to shrug off teasing about his disciplined lifestyle. He does not drink, smoke or party. He does have a girlfriend, though their relationship sacrifices a lot for his career.

“I don't want to look back in ten years and say ‘If I didn't do this or that I could have been up there'. I'm giving this my undivided attention and seeing it through.

“It's something I've dreamed of for a long time. It's not very hard because I know what I want and I don't care what anybody else thinks of what I do. I know what won't help me.

“So, sure I'll have a vodka and cranberry on the rocks - just hold the vodka please,” he quips, displaying his wacky sense of humour.

Patience, he appreciates, is another vital characteristic in any golfer's armoury and, to this extent, he is trying not to rush things but to concentrate on small, steady improvements.

“I'm trying to keep it simple, you know, like making two cuts in a row, then three in a row.”

There are bigger goals obviously like making the PGA Tour within five years - “sooner than that I hope but I've given myself that time” - and his little black book helps. It's his personal golf diary.

“It's good because it gets out a lot of things I need to get out. I don't like to vent on other people a lot,” explains the University of Rhode Island business graduate.

Anything he cares to share? Here comes the comedian again.

“Hmm . . . it's rated R,” he says, following up with a hearty laugh.

“No, I just write down what I have done and how I practised so I can look back and go ‘I played well during this stretch; this is what I did; maybe this is why I did it'. It helps me try to perfect things and recreate the situations where I did everything well.”

When he does finally have his game totally together it's not just Michael Sims whose name will make headlines but Bermuda's too and he is keenly aware of how much this would mean. So as the pursuit of his dream sees him criss-crossing the USA weekly - often driving alone in the dead of night - he is bolstered by his wide network of support.

“It's a tremendous thing to have Bermuda behind me, particularly my family and my sponsors, XL Capital, who do so much for me.

“It gives me a lot of drive to do what I'm doing, to travel 12 hours to get to a tournament. I want to do well for myself but for Bermuda also. I know what it would say for such a small island - no matter where you're from or who you are, you can do anything. You've just got to want it.”

And boy does he want it!