It is very rare to catch a glimpse of Michael Sims plying his trade at a local golf course these days.

But later this month golf enthusiasts will be able to do just that as the Island’s top golfer returns for the Bermuda Open and Grey Goose World Par 3 Championships.

The last time that Sims competed in a local tournament was at the Gosling’s Invitational at Belmont Hills in 2007, where he finished third among the professional field.

Much has changed since then, but not Sims’s passion for his family, friends, homeland and of course golf.

“I am really looking forward to being home spending time with family and friends and playing some golf,” Sims said.

“It has been a long time since I played in an event at home, but I am thrilled to be a part of the Bermuda Open and the Grey Goose Par 3 Championship.”

Sims, who turned professional in 2002, is no stranger to the Bermuda Open.

He captured a maiden Bermuda Open title at Port Royal in 2005 after finishing five shots clear of long-time friend Dwayne Pearman.

Sims fired a course record — on the old course — of seven-under-par 64 on the opening day of the tournament and never looked back.

The Bermuda Open will be held from March 24 to 27 at Port Royal, which will again host the PGA Grand Slam of Golf this year.

After the Bermuda Open, the Turtle Hill Golf Club will provide the backdrop for the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship, which runs from March 28 to 30.

The tournament will feature European Tour players, Ryder Cup winners and leading local and overseas club professionals.

Sims, who has never played in a par-three tournament, has not been too active on the golf course since failing to regain a tour card at Q-School late last year.

“The only golf I have played since Q-School was a pro-am about three or four weeks ago called the Mizuno Pro-Am at Pebble Beach,” he said.

Georgia-based Sims bowed out of the second stage of last year’s Q-School at the Plantation Preserve Golf Club in Florida. He finished the 72-hole qualifier tied for 38th with a four-day total of one-under-par 283, which left him five shots shy of the final qualifying position.

In 2006, Sims earned a full year’s exemption on the Nationwide Tour, second only to the PGA Tour.

However, he lost that privilege the next year and since then has managed to earn partial exemption to the Web.com Tour, the precursor to the Nationwide Tour.

Sims finished 123rd on last year’s Web.com Tour money list with $30,201 in earnings.

He played in 17 events and made four cuts, with his best showing arriving at the BMW Charity Pro-Am Presented by Synnex Corporation, where he finished tied for ninth.