Unlike his veteran fellow countrymen on the World Team, Tyrone Geise has only been playing Golden Tee for two years. The 26-year-old teacher from Anandale upset a host of more experienced players to qualify for the team at the Australian Nationals.

When asked what he thought of playing on the world stage for pride and country, Tyrone was humble in his assessment. "It's surreal to make the team, especially this soon in my Golden Tee career. I'm really looking forward to watching the big guns play."

To prepare for the tournament, Tyrone has been playing more GT than usual at the Victoria Hotel in Anandale. "I've tried to get in at least a cycle every day. To compete with the pros I'm going to have to really put it all together!"

A World Team rookie, Valent Mikosic says earning a spot on the team "was a long time in the making." This 36-year-old computer engineer by trade has a true love for Golden Tee and plays his games at the King's Park Tavern in his hometown of Kellyville.

Making the World Team has been Valent's goal since he started playing Golden Tee six years ago. "It's going to be great to finally put all of the faces with the names that I see on the leaderboards," he said. "I'm also looking forward to making some new friends along the way."

Qualifying at the Australian Nationals, Valent secured his spot on the team and a trip to Vegas by making some pressure-packed shots. "Sinking that final putt to make the team and earn my plane ticket is definitely the highlight of my GT career!"

One of Golden Tee's most popular global stars, Danny Zivanovic has certainly had his fair share of Golden Tee Worlds success. The 34-year-old Hewlett-Packard employee from Berwick has been an avid GT player for seven years and is a veteran of two previous World Championships.

"Being a part of the 2004 World Team that beat the Americans is certainly at the top of my Golden Tee moments. That event was just an unbelievable adrenaline rush."

Even though this is his third Worlds appearance, Danny says playing in an event of this magnitude never gets old. "To represent the World Team and Australia is an absolute honor and privilege. To be able to compete against the best players in the World is truly amazing."

Robert Brown, a World Team rookie, expects to have plenty of support and assistance from his Canadian brethren. "It's an honor to represent my country," he said. “And I'm anxious to see how I stack up against the best players in the world!"

The 37-year-old Calgary native gets his Golden Tee fix at Stavro's Sports Bar and the Riverstone Pub.

Robert is very excited to meet many of the premier players, but he's also ready to indulge in the fine luxuries of Vegas. "I'm definitely ready for some free Heinekens at the casinos! he exclaimed."

When Robert, a business manager by trade, isn't spinning the trackball, chances are he's playing real golf, fishing or cruising down Canada's back roads on his motorcycle.

Over the years Nick Feijo has developed into one of the most feared players in the world, and he certainly knows a thing or two about competition. This year marks the 37-year-old Canadian's fourth Golden Tee World Championship appearance.

A poker player and Golden Tee player by trade, Nick has been spinning the trackball for eight years but still looks forward to the biggest GT tourney every year. “Seeing everyone again is always nice," he said. “And with so many new players, it'll be good to finally put faces with names."

Nick says his first live tournament is still his favorite GT highlight. He managed to hit a hole-in-one in sudden death to makes the finals.

Nick, who plays out of Sharkey's, his hometown bar in Brantford, Ontario, expects the World Team to once again give Team USA all they can handle. "I just hope we can beat down those Yankees," he said good-naturedly. “But it's going to be far from easy!"

Perhaps the only windsurfer in the field, Dave Garnett is back at the Golden Tee Worlds. Making his third appearance on the world stage, this 35-year-old franchise owner is shocked to even be in this position. "Since becoming a dad my playing time has been limited. I never expected to compete at this level and make the team again. I'm definitely excited!"

Dave still tries to get in at least ten games a week, and plays at the storied GT tournament haven Original's in his hometown of Toronto. Although he may not be playing as often as in the past, expect this GT veteran to be fully prepared for the tournament, and nothing would make him happier than to see the World Team take center stage throughout.

"Hopefully the World Team can give Team USA a real run for their money," he said. "It would also be fantastic to have someone finally wrestle the individual Golden Tee world title away from the Americans."

When asked what he was most looking forward to, he joked, "It's in Vegas, right? That should be a good enough answer for you!"

If it's possible that a player can define an event, no one in this year's field exemplifies the Golden Tee World Championship more than Anthony Goertz. At this year's tournament, this 33-year-old senior valuation analyst will become the only player in Golden Tee history to represent his country in all six World Championships.

"Pony", a former World Team captain, led the international squad to their only WC victory in 2004. "Being the captain of that team was without a doubt my favorite Golden Tee moment," he said. "I've enjoyed plenty of great tournaments, but that was truly an honor – and a win for the ages."

Anthony has been playing for nine years and spins the trackball three to four nights a week at Duke's in his hometown of London, Ontario. But even though he's competed in countless tournaments and contests, Anthony says the Worlds is a different beast all together. "The competition becomes pretty intense, even amongst friends. It's hard to describe the feeling unless you're right in the middle of all of it."

One of the youngest members on the squad, Craig William Levis joins the World Team for the very first time. Don't let his age fool you however, as this 27-year-old cable auditor has been spinning trackballs for almost ten years now.

Making the World Team has been a long time coming for Craig. "It feels pretty good after all the years of coming up just short," he said.

During his first live tournament, Craig managed to upend Canadian GT superstar Tim Glenn, a moment he says that almost rivals making the World Team.

It's been an exciting few months for this Calgary native. First making the World Team, and then only a few weeks later Craig and his wife Jessica welcomed their first child, Torrie into the world. Winning the $20,000 top prize will buy a lot of diapers and pacifiers!

This Canadian GT guru is back on the World Team for an impressive third time. The 34-year-old Toronto native's love of the game goes far beyond playing. A software developer by trade, Ben also contributes his time and talents to the Underdog player's site where he's developed Calcutta pools for major GT and PGA tournaments.

Even though he's a family man with a young son, Ben still manages to play a few nights each week at Original's in Toronto with many of the other top Canadian players.

Like many of the players attending the event, Ben loves the Worlds for both the competition and camaraderie. "It's an honor to be representing my country and the World Team," he said. "But it's also a great venue to catch up with those friends I haven't seen in a long time."

Back in 2005 Ben shot the first-ever –30 in World Championship competition. He did so in the quarterfinals against none other than World Team member and fellow Canadian Nick Feijo. Feijo's final score of –29 ranks this battle as one of the most amazing matches in Golden Tee history!

This 46-year-old marketing consultant comes to America all the way from South Africa's most exciting city, Port Elizabeth. While pleased and thrilled about making his first appearance at the Worlds, Francois says that it's been a long time coming. "It feels great to finally make the team, but this should have been my third trip already."

In Vegas, Francois is looking to help his team win but also hopes to learn some new shots he can bring home to Port Elizabeth. A five-year GT veteran, he understands that he still has a way to go to.

"I know I can play with anyone back in South Africa, but these are the world's best, and I'm privileged to play with and against them. I can't wait to see how I match up."

One of the World Team's most popular members from last year returns for an encore as South Africa's Morne Goosen hopes to build on last year's experience to make a run at this year's World Championship crown.

The 36-year-old plays 12 hours a week at FJ's Pub in his hometown of Port Elizabeth. His hard work and practice have paid off, and his reputation as a GT guru extends throughout the country.

When the 2006 South African champion isn't showing off his virtual golf skills, chances are he's playing on the real links or enjoying the PE scenery on his quad bike.

Frustration is something many of experience when playing Golden Tee, and to perform at a high level requires that one play almost perfectly to succeed. But for a 40-year-old snooker manager from Essex, it might have seemed that the Golden Tee gods themselves were against him. But now Marc Douglas feels things have gone his way since he's finally made the World Team.

For years Marc has often played deep into big tournaments but always come up just short of winning. "It seemed like I always ran into some bad luck," he says. "It's nice that I will finally get some recognition for my play because I've spent so much time at it."

And play he has. For five years it wasn't uncommon for Marc to play Golden Tee thirty hours a week. Of late though, he simply hasn't had the time, and now says he's lucky if he gets in five or six hours.

When Marc's not spinning the trackball at the Basildon Snooker, chances are he's with his family or playing real golf.