IF Michael Sims found himself enormously frustrated as he slipped down the leadboard at last weekend’s Mexican Open, he might take some consolation from the fact that much of Bermuda felt for him.Of all sports, golf might be the most frustrating. I know from personal experience.In a palm tree at the 17th hole at Southampton Princess lies what was a perfectly good putter, nestled somewhere in the bushes surrounding what was Castle Harbour’s ninth hole is an eight iron, rusting at the bottom of the pond at the 17th hole at Port Royal is a three wood and had anybody, a few years’ ago, bothered to look inside a trash bin on the tee at Belmont’s seventh hole they would have found two pieces of a brand new seven iron.Clubs have this terrible habit of sending the ball in the opposite direction their owner intended.Yes, golf is a frustrating game.And in my case, the only reason these appalling demonstrations of poor sportsmanship haven’t been reported to those in the clubhouse is that they have consistently helped playing partners to stuff their wallets with rather large wads of cash.Of course, such disgraceful behaviour wouldn’t be tolerated on Tour. It would almost certainly lead to suspension.So full credit to Sims for maintaining his composure when there must have been temptation to hurl his entire bag into the nearest water hazard after his his hopes of winning a first-ever Nationwide Tour event were torpedoed in the space of five holes.Thirty one holes into the Mexican tournament our golfing hero led the entire 144-strong field. Out in front on his own.Resuming after what was one of several rain delays, the rhythm he had enjoyed and momemtum he had built before the downpour quickly dissipated.One bogey, followed by another and finally a dispiriting double bogey seven on the penultimate hole as he attempted to repair the damage, left his tournament in tatters.From 10-under par, he finished six-under, plunging from first to 14th. He eventually completed his tournament in a tie for 29th.Sims is the most talented golfer ever to emerge from Bermuda’s junior programme, and bar Kim Swan who played on the fledgling European Tour back in the 1980s, he’s the only player who’s made the grade and has consistently fired rounds in the mid 60s on one of the world’s toughest golf circuits.His first round scorecard last week was littered with birdies on the way to an impressive 67. He was on track for a similar low score until disaster struck late on Friday evening.This isn’t the first time he’s put himself into contention for a big finish on the Tour this season, only for his game to fall apart (if shooting seven-under-par for 72 holes could be considered falling apart).But, as he well knows, one-under-par for the last two rounds no longer cuts it, even on the monstrous courses which test strength, accuracy and a deft touch around the greens.Such collapses as those last weekend have led some to question Sims’ mental strength.It’s an unfair assessment. Only he, his coach and caddy can reach that conclusion.The simple fact is that consistency over 72 holes is easier said than done.The pressure that comes with contending for a title is something that even the best can’t always cope with. Ask Rory McIlroy.Let’s not forget that week in, week out Sims is playing alongside golfers who have previously made their living on the PGA Tour players such as Peter Lonard, Frank Lickliter, Guy Boros, Esteban Toledo, Omar Uresti, all of whom finished below Sims last week.TV commentators this year have noted how so many players in their 20s are making their presence known.But there are still plenty over the age of 30, even 40, who will continue to win the big tournaments. Phil Mickelson, Angel Cabrera, Stuart Appleby and many others are over 40. Tiger Woods is 35.At 32, Sims has several years to put himself on top of that leaderboard again.He has the ability and he certainly has the support of every Bermudian who has watched his progress.* * * *IF age is a factor, don’t tell JJ Madeiros.In a local pro tournament at Belmont Hills this week he carded an even-par 70. Not bad for someone who’s already celebrated his 80th birthday.It’s always been considered that any player who can fire a round that matches his age is pretty darn good even off the red tees.The fact that any player who can shoot 10-under his age borders on the miraculous.It might be time to start flicking through the pages of the Guinness Book of Records.ADRIAN ROBSON