WORLAND - Bad performances are bound to happen to everyone, but it is how a player responds to the adversity of a bad game, or outing, that determines what type of competitor they will be.

Worland youth golfer Karsten Simmons had one of that tournament where things never broke his way at the Optimist Junior World Qualifier tournament in Denver, CO last weekend. Not only was Simmons battling against top-tier competition but also the tough weather conditions.

Simmons kept battling, putting himself in position to qualify for the Junior World tournament. Unfortunately, the putt that could have qualified him ringed around the hole and lipped out.

For the tournament Simmons finished sixth in the 14-15 age group, shooting an 87-75, 162 for the tournament.

"There are a lot of positives that happened during the event and also some things out of his control," said Karsten's father Randy Simmons.

One of the things out of Simmons' control was the weather. Starting the tournament he had to play through a thick fog, eventually, play was delayed until the fog to lifted. But once the fog lifted, 40 mph winds came into play.

"You literally could not see where your ball was going or where the hole even was. They finally called play and we waited for the fog to lift. Once the fog lifted and play resumed around an hour later in the 35-degree temps, the wind came up. Karsten did pretty well along with the others in his group until they arrived at the 11th hole.

"Holes 11 thru 15 were the worse conditions I personally have ever seen on a golf course with people playing. It was very unlucky for the kids that had to play these holes when the 63 mph wind gusts came in with solid 40+ mph winds. Many balls were hit perfectly and get ripped out of the sky and land way out of bounds for penalty strokes. This affected about half the field when the heart of the storm hit," said Randy Simmons.

Simmons Day 1 score of 87 was easily the highest he has shot in some time. Rather than sulk about his rough first day, Simmons was out early on the driving range the following day, putting in the extra work.

"Karsten powered through but, very disgusted, shot 87 the first day. I cannot remember him shooting a score that high. He was in the middle of the pack after Day 1. Day 2 he went to the range, with frost on the ground, and hit some balls getting ready for the 9 a.m. shotgun start," said Randy Simmons.

Falling short of qualifying was a letdown for Simmons, but the disappointment will only fuel his desire to be the best. Come springtime he will have another shot a qualifying for the Junior World tournament.

"Karsten has another opportunity in the spring to qualify. He will be ready to hit that qualifier and play his normal golf game in the spring. Karsten is disappointed in his performance but at the same time, he understands times like these are what made him the golfer he is today.

"Ever since he was a little boy I always told him, 'You have to take the bad with the good. You have got to be able to take these tough times and use them as experience and knowledge of what you could improve on.' Karsten will come back stronger than I ever, I have no doubts about that," said Randy Simmons.

Simmons' next tournament will be over Thanksgiving at Bear's Best in Las Vegas, NV as part of the Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour, he is also the defending champion and will look to retain that title.