It’s the spring of 2008, and Jason Sims is trying to revive his baseball career.
Having spent his first two years at Sonoma State on a baseball scholarship, Sims, a 2005 San Benito High graduate, transferred to Monterey Peninsula College in hopes of rejuvenating a once promising pitching career.
It wasn’t meant to be. Sims made one appearance before ultimately getting surgery to remove a bone spur the size of a quarter in his right elbow, and he never played again.
Like all competitive athletes, Sims went through a stage of denial before finally accepting his fate.
“After surgery and rehab, my arm was never the same,” said Sims, who regularly threw 88-90 mph before he started to experience arm trouble late in his freshman season at Sonoma State. “But the competitor in you thinks you can do still do it, and you’re not willing to give it up. Eventually, I knew it was time. It was really tough because it was my dream to pitch in the majors.”
Fortunately for Sims, 26, he had a solid backup plan — golf. Sims had already been working at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club, and the demise of his baseball career simply fast-forwarded his new goal — to become a licensed PGA teaching professional.
“After surgery, I had every intention of playing baseball again, but when it didn’t happen, golf made the transition easier,” Sims said. “At a certain point, I was actually more excited to hit golf balls than pitch again.”
Currently a PGA Apprentice, Sims must pass three levels to become a PGA member teaching pro, something he expects to accomplish in two to three years. The 6-foot-7, 225-pound Sims’ day-to-day responsibilities include working behind the counter in the pro shop, answering phones, booking tee times, checking people in, giving private lessons, and doing website promotions.
He does the grunt work now, knowing his hard work should pay off in the future. As Sims passes every level toward PGA membership, he’ll assume increased managerial responsibilities.
Along with fellow Ridgemark pro Alex Rodriguez, Sims runs Ridgemark’s summer youth and after school programs. When Sims first started working at Ridgemark, he washed karts and picked up balls from the driving range.
Sims said he’s a 1.5 handicap, and that his golf game has never been better.
“For a big guy, I’m pretty good around the greens,” he said. “I love playing the game. I’m more excited now playing golf than when I was playing baseball. It’s even more of an individual deal because it’s all on you.”
Sims was born in San Jose but moved to Hollister when he was 13. Growing up, Sims dreamed of one day pitching for his favorite team, the San Francisco Giants. Sims started playing the game at 4, and vividly remembers his father, Scott, diagramming plays on a chalkboard in the garage and asking him what base he should throw to in every possible scenario.
For an athlete who suffered a career-ending injury in one sport, Sims has rebounded nicely.
“Going through that experience, it just made me stronger,” Sims said.
Like most golf pros, Sims is elated the PGA Tour is making a stop in San Martin this week for the Frys.com Open. Sims said he’ll be at CordeValle earlier in the week to get a close-up view of the pros at the driving range and greens.
“It’s pretty awesome to see what these guys can do and how they approach the game,” Sims said. “I’m interested to see the pros and what parts of their game they’re working on. Any time you get the Tour guys this close to your hometown, it’s amazing.”
