Although professional golfer Michael Sims failed to make it to the third and final round of the PGA Q School on the weekend, the Bermudian still felt he had his best ever year and is hoping to continue to improve in 2010.

Sims played on the Nationwide Tour this past year and in reflecting on 2009 from his Sea Island, Georgia home yesterday, he said: "I thought it was a very good season. I also have some status for next year which is nice but I thought I played really well – I felt comfortable out there. I am a much better player than I was two years ago."

And while he didn't make it to the final stage of Q School, which will be held from December 2-7 at Bear Lake Country Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, Sims said he was happy with his play over the weekend at the TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.

"I actually played really well. I shot one-under (for the 72 holes) and I had three birdies on the par fives in the last 36 holes. However, I just didn't make enough birdies (to advance)."

Earlier this week his father, Bruce Sims, said his son was considering a stint on the Asia Tour before going back out on the Nationwide Tour in 2010.

Sims said yesterday: "Asia is just in my thoughts. I am staying in the States and then I will be home for Christmas. I don't know the schedules and have not sat down and really looked at it (the Asia Tour). I really will not know anything until Q School is done. I think I will be the first alternate on the Nationwide Tour next year but I am not sure. I will find out after the third section of Q School is finished."

Asked if he was considering playing in the Bermuda Open at the revamped Port Royal in January, Sims replied: "Absolutely."

And the Bermudian golfer has been impressed by the $14 million renovation of the Southampton lay-out.

"I played it back in July when I was home. I thought it was really good – they did a very good job. It gives you a good view and that is pretty cool."

Many of his neighbours at Sea Island also admired Port Royal when they flew down to Bermuda last month for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

"Half of the people at Sea Island went to the Grand Slam. They now understand what a real beach looks like and what real water looks like! They all thought the world of Bermuda. They enjoyed the people – everyone was kind and generous to them."

Of his Sea Island base, Sims said: "It is great. It is a phenomenal place to practise and the facilities are second to none. It is wonderful. The group of people are great. There are some tour pros here – a lot of players are around and the practice facilities are extraordinary, fantastic."

It is at Sea Island where Sims' teacher, Mike Taylor, resides. And he has credited Taylor with improving his game.

Taylor was named Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year Eastern Chapter in 2006 and besides Sims, he currently works with 2009 US Open Champion Lucas Glover who also won this year's Grand Slam at Port Royal, and 2008 Ryder Cup team member Boo Weekley as well as 2009 College Player of the Year Kyle Stanley.

Sims played in 24 Nationwide tournaments this year and made 13 cuts. He had two top 10 finishes, six top 25 finishes and pocketed $96,927.

But at the end of the season, he finished in an agonising 61st place on the tour – only one spot out of getting his full Nationwide card for 2010. The reason for that was his disappointing final round at the Miccosukee Championships which was the final regular event on the tour.

A five-over-par 76 at the Miccosukee Golf and Country Club in Miami left Sims just one place below the 60 who advanced to the Nationwide Tour Championships where all of the players were granted automatic status for next year's tour.

It was exceptionally tough for the 30-year-old as he had led the tournament late in the third round before taking a double-bogey at the 17th, and then followed with another two doubles in the final error-strewn round.