Hot on the heels of his sensational victory at the New England Open this week, golfer Michael Sims will take the first steps towards turning professional, writes Adrian Robson.

The 22-year-old Bermudian still hopes to return to compete as an amateur in next month's Bermuda Open at Port Royal, but those plans could now change as he awaits news on the dates for the first stages of PGA Tour qualifying school.

Previously only professionals could attend the annual school - considered one of the most rigorous tests in golf - but under new rules Sims has been told he will be accepted, although he faces as many as 15 competitive rounds to reach his goal.

Should he be successful, the Rhode Island University student could earn automatic qualification for the US PGA Tour or the less-lucrative Buy.com Tour. And should he fail, he would still be able to return to amateur competition in January.

Sims' father, Bruce - the Island's former number one tennis player - confirmed the latest plans yesterday.

"He's been accepted for Q-school and we're just awaiting the dates," said Sims sr. "Because his entry was late, his first date is conflicting with the (Bermuda) Open, but the second date is fine.

"And that's what we're hoping he'll get. He's definitely looking forward to coming home.

"There are 10 or 12 different Q-school sites each week. They have it over two weeks. One week is the 16th to the 20th (October), and then the 25th to the 29th. There are a bunch of sites in Florida, some in California, some in Georgia, just for the first stage.

"And if you get through the first stage, you do the second stage and so on.

"The change of rules means he can go in as an amateur and as long as he doesn't accept any money, come January 1 he would get his amateur status back, but he would be considered pro until then.

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