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A friend of mine would tell me that if you stayed at the wicket, the runs would come.

This has become one of my favourite expressions as it tells us to persevere until we reach our goal. Of course, it always helps to persevere in the right area since no amounting of fishing will result in dinner if there are no fish in that particular pond.

All year, I've been looking forward to watching Bermuda's golfing star, Michael Sims, on TV.

I follow Michael's progress each week as I think what he is doing is marvellous. It takes courage, talent and a whole heap of staying at the wicket to do what he is doing.

This past weekend, my perseverance paid off. Michael's 66 in Round 2 had placed him well up the leader board in what was a very important event for Michael.

I was thrilled to see that Michael had progressed still further up the leader board in Round 3, and for a brief period on that Saturday, Michael was one of the stars on the Nationwide Tour.

While Sunday was no doubt very painful for Michael, let me be very clear, there is none among us who can understand the pressure of playing as one of the leaders in the final round of a Nationwide tournament. Add to that the pressure of trying to make the Top 60 to keep your card, and you have enough pressure in one round to last a lifetime.

Although Michael did not play his best on Sunday, it is not the end of the world. To put it in perspective, on the same weekend, Retief Goosen, a two-time U.S. Open champion, held the lead after three rounds in the Portugal Masters only to shot 75 in Round 4.

And, of course, there is Michael Sims, for whom I have the greatest admiration. It is not easy doing what he does for a living for it is based on merit and merit alone.

Tee it up, make the cut or go home. That he finds himself almost in the Top 60 on the Nationwide Tour is proof to me that he belongs out there.

It hasn't been easy for Michael, and he has had to work hard at it, and still must. For my dime, though, Michael has stayed at the wicket and the runs are beginning to come.

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