Personal and national goals will be at stake when Michael Sims appears in his first Nations Cup next week.

The pro golfer, who is teaming up with Dwayne Pearman to represent Bermuda in the World Cup qualifier, obviously wants to excel for his country but, also, he hopes the event can be the start of a successful run for him.

Immediately on the heels of the Nations Cup - being held at El Tigre golf course in Mexico - the 24-year-old will play in the South American Tour qualifier and then prepare for his third assault on the PGA Tour Q-School. The latter is a three-tiered competition which offers top finishers various playing rights on the PGA and Nationwide Tours.

“I want to play in the South American qualifier so that I am playing in something leading up to the PGA Q School in Tampa,” said Sims, explaining his reasoning.

“I feel my game has improved though there's a few things I need to work on. I'm looking forward to going to Q School this year. I think it will be good.”

It's not been the best of summers for Sims who mixed the last few months competing on the Golden Bear Tour in Florida and trying to iron out the kinks in his game.

“I didn't really have a great year. I didn't play particularly well though I hit the ball better than I ever have.

“I didn't have very many good finishes and I think that came as a result of me working so hard on my swing that I got away from actually trying to score.

“My ball striking has really come around. Now I have to start scoring a little better. Last year I never really hit the ball well but I was getting in the hole pretty good and now I can't get in the hole and I'm hitting the ball good,” he said, chuckling.

“Obviously I'm disappointed that I didn't play as well as I would have liked but, at the same time, I feel I have made improvements in my game that will only help me in the long run. Now I'm ready to move forward.”

As he comes towards the end of his second year in the professional ranks, Sims has been busily documenting his evolution as a player.

“There's been a lot of entries into this thing,” he said, referring to the little black book in which he notes his golf observations.

“I feel my mental game needs to get stronger. I need to start believing in myself more.

“The more I keep on playing the better I'm going to get. I know that.

“Golf is a game of ups and downs. I had a little bit of a down so I'm coming back up,” he said, scoffing at any idea that he may have considered “packing it in”.

Regarding the Nations Cup, he is quite excited at the prospect of representing Bermuda despite not knowing what or who they will be up against.

“I really don't know our chances. I've never been to this so I don't know what to expect. I don't know what countries and teams are there but I think it will be a great experience.”

In addition, Sims is hoping to use the occasion as an opportunity to pick the mind of the only Bermudian to have reached the PGA Tour level. Kim Swan who played on the European PGA Tour for three years has been chosen as the non-playing captain for the Nations Cup.

“I want to talk to him about his past as a pro and see if he can give me any good advice,” said Sims.