It may be that Michael Sims, Jarryd Dillas and Nick Jones on Wednesday achieved the same goal in qualifying for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, local golf’s pinnacle event, however the personalities of the trio could hardly be more different.
At the pole position as winner of the local qualifier stands Michael Sims, the aged cover boy, still care free and ready to party, but yet with a strength of game unmatched by any other Bermudian golfer.
Case in point occurred when TNN caught up with a ‘spirited’ Sims after his victory on Wednesday,asking to ask his thoughts of having won entry for a fourth consecutive time and how he would prepare this time around to give him the best chance of making the cut and playing into the weekend, something he has failed to do thus far.
“Obviously I’m feeling good, but I’m very humbled and just stoked to get to this stage with these guys,” said a rosy Sims, before expounding further on the days play, one affected by strong winds and occasional shower bursts. “We certainly had all the elements and it was definitely a challenge getting around here today, after getting a break with the weather yesterday.
“Today we didn’t get it as bad as it was supposed to have been, but all things considered, it is what it is, everybody has to play in it.”
Sims explained his plan of aiding a client and aspiring pro golfer at a PGA Tour Q-school event before returning to his home state of Georgia — where he was born to “practice a little bit”.
Asked if he expected to have his ‘A’ game once back on local soil, always the comedian, Sims replied, “Hopefully I’ll come back with ‘a’ game.”
Standing next to Sims, but a world apart in personality and style, was Dillas, reserved, buttoned, with measured deliberateness.
And with good reason, as Dillas an his wife are expecting their first child in December, his making the tournament a hopeful precursor of greater things.
“I feel great. I was fortunate enough to qualify in 2019 for the first time and sometimes you take things for granted and its been five years for me to get the opportunity again,” said Dillas, content in his amateur status, but no less riven than any professional “Seeing the guys in the last two years and getting close the first year, but not so much last year second, I definitely can appreciate this and how hard it is to get to the point of having the opportunity that we have.
“I’m humbled to be a part of this. It’s a great opportunity Butterfield and the PGA Tour are giving us. I believe golf is on the way up and I’m proud to be a part of that.
“ I just need to make a few putts. The nerves I’m expecting on the first tee, that’s what makes it fun. That’s why we play. That’s why we practice.
“Competitive golf is great and the reason I continue to play.”
Finally, there’s Jones, bright eyed with emotions worn on both sleeves, looking to extend a father’s legacy of triumph through struggle.
The least gifted and funded of the trio, having risen up from a grassroots base, understanding the fight waged by his father for acceptance in a sport previously reserved for the elite of a far lighter shade.
“I feel great I’ve worked hard and tried to qualify last year, but I just wasn’t ready,” said Jones. “From then I gave myself goal and worked my butt off and just practice, practice, practice to become the best that I can be.
“I’ve been working two jobs, bartending at Port Royal while finding time to practice. So I’ve worked hard and now I’ve made it and I’m ecstatic.
“I can’t wait to tee it up. Last year I did some caddying for a few guys, which kind of egged me on, because I didn’t want to caddy, I wanted to be playing.
“So I’m really looking forward to it. I have two and a half weeks to get my game in the order and shape I want it.”
Jones’ preparation will see him travel to Florida to play some minor events to stay tournament sharp and ready.
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