Another cup weekend passes and as with last year, GT walks away with the honours thanks to the ultimate choke from first round leader, Buchs.

Day 1 saw the rugged Scot accumulate a demanding 5 point lead after carding a suberb 41 stableford points. Solid performances from both GT and Zacka ensured they would join Buchs in the leaders group at Merrist for the final round, much to the annoyance of a distraught Foz who was seeing his dream of a maiden cup victory slide away yet again. A special mention must be made of Caunter who after 5 holes was finally able to put some points on the board. It is this grit and determination that makes him the unique player so many admire.
Shot of the day goes to Radford after teeing off, hitting 3 consecutive hazards, and ending up on the green. Class!
The day ended with some well earned beers at the 19th hole with banter in full swing. Although confident making his way to dinner, Buchs seemed to struggle with the mounting pressure of leading such a prestigous tournament. The ruthless field sensed his weakness and in true cup spirit, ensured he was never without a drink in hand for what turned out to be a very long night.

Day 2 started slowly for the field as they crawled up to the bar at Merrist Wood Golf course to order their bacon and egg sandwiches. Breakfast was quiet and most seemed to be thinking about a gruelling 4 hours ahead on a course that has the potential to punish and demoralise those who stray. Thoughts were also with Buchs who stupidly overdid it on the alcohol the night before, and was unable to leave his comfort zone of the clubhouse toilet to join the field as the first group teed off. This was the start of his historic downfall, or as some would say, "choke".
No one told GT about course reputation as he split the first fairway down the middle with a 300 yard drive to set up an easy par. It was all one way traffic from here on in as he chewed up Buchs' lead within seven holes and never let go. Zacka was able to stay close throughout but four ringers on the back 9 cost him dearly and he had to settle for second place, in front of a devastated Buchs who will need to cut down on his alcohol consumption to have any chance of victory next year.

Beers were once again flowing at the 19th as another brilliant Expat Cup weekend came to an end. GT holds on to the prized cup for another year whilst Caunter takes home the inaugural wooden spoon following two rounds of unique shot selection.

Next years tournament is sure to be another cracker with either Portugal or Cyprus being lined up as the venue. The boys are sure to be out on the fairways of Guildford over the coming months to ensure they're in with a chance of wrenching the Cup away from GT!

Foz (NZL)

Cup co-founder and event organiser, Foz has the fighting spirit of a lion who is always there or thereabouts coming into the final round. Will it finally be his year? (cough cough)




Caunter (NZL)

A true legend of the Expat Cup, whose wide range of shots on the golf course are nothing short of spectacular. He'll be out to turn heads this year!





Zacka (NZL)

Finesse, class, and style are the words most use when describing this well oiled machine, who has been known to give fashion tips to the great Ian Poulter.




Buchs (SCO)

This porridge-eating golfer from the Highlands is the perfect example of true grit and determination. Always one to pull through a tough situation.





Trent (NZL)

Sure to have been given some golfing lessons by older brother GT, this Expat débutante will not be forgiven if he returns home with the wooden spoon.




GT (NZL)

Defending champion and two-time winner of the Cup, GT will be no easy beat this year on the golf course, although Zacka looks odds on favourite to take his "Best Groomed" title.




Sarge (NZL)

Another Cup débutante who comes into the tournament with a reputation which suggests an upset could be on the cards. Will the quiet man release the inner beast?!




Radford (NZL)

A regular on the Expat circuit, Radford comes into the weekend with his well known jibba jabba and a new driver as his key weapons in challenging for the title.




Ridley (AUS)

Every sporting event needs a loud mouth Aussie to fire up the field. Ridley's not shy on making his presence felt, but could a top 8 finish be on the cards or will the wooden spoon be flying southbound to Sydney?

This weekend is the big one!

Competing for the Expat Cup this year are 9 superb athletes with a very limited golfing ability. This should make for some interesting three balls over the 2 rounds of competitive play. GT is back as defending chump and is taking his defence very seriously with 2 weeks off work in the lead up. Most of that time has been spent at his training base in Clapham working on his image to ensure he looks the part on the day. There is no doubt he will be walking away with the prize for Best Groomed.

The plan for Saturday is to travel to Godalming from Clapham Junction on the 9.52 train. During the trip down, the draw for the first day’s threesomes and room mates will take place which is sure to cause quite a stir if partnered with the infamous Ridley, who comes second to none when demonstrating golfing etiquette. The second day four balls will be played in order from bottom through to top with the leader teeing off last. This year, the woolly hat rule will once again be installed for those consistent three putters. Let’s hope for some decent weather!
In addition, at the end of the round there will be a shot of whisky for each three putt made, and tee shots that don't make the ladies.

The first round will be played at Wildwood Golf Course, followed by a night out on the town to ensure the days leaders are brought back down to level playing terms for day 2.
The all important second round will be played in familiar surroundings at Merrist Wood Golf Club which will provide a tough challenge for all who are able to stumble to the first tee. One thing for sure is that “keen as” Caunter will be stretching and ready to go 2 hours before everyone else after his customary quiet night at home and 12 hour sleep. True commitment that I’m sure will one day pay off!

Handicaps for the weekend have again been decided by chief event organiser Foz. As usual he has been very generous on himself.












Here’s to a great weekend in Guildford, and remember one thing……Real men don’t play off a 36!

Born: 07-Jan-1983
Nationality: United States

To the golfing world Natalie Gulbis is seen as the "Anna Kournikova of the fairways". This beauty is oozing sex appeal which not only pulls in the male crowds, but also entices TV crews into directing their cameras on places more suitable to the mature viewer. You don't hear me complaining about that one though!

Many say however that Natalie is an underachiever and has cashed in on her looks rather than her golfing ability. This may be true but in all honesty what is the problem with that? How many of you would complain about walking around a golf course all week playing the game you love, while your bank balance is increasing in size courtesy of endorsements and other deals to which your image is used? None of you I'm sure!

This gorgeous golfing blonde will have the hearts of golf obsessed males for many years to come.

The day has arrived!
Bethpage Black is the venue for the 109th US Open Championship. 156 players lay in wait with a chance to conquer what has become known as the “beast” of all golf courses. My mind is not on the balance sheet reports that lay on my desk, nor is it on my plans for the sunny weekend ahead. I think only of catapulting my ass out of this building at 3pm and planting it in front of a television showing channel 402.

Will the Tiger defend his title against the likes of Mickelson, Ogilvy, Furyk and co, or is it even possible that the aging Maori boy from Hawera, Michael Campbell can find some elusive form to push forward and grab his second US Open title? It is likely that Bethpage Black will be full of surprises to which outcomes can not be predicted. This is going to be friggin brilliant!

What sort of sporting event would it be without the odd bet though! So here we go………..Zacka’s bets for the 109th US Open Golf Tournament are as follows:

£1.00 each way on Steve Stricker @ 33/1

£1.00 each way on Camilo Villegas @ 46/1

£1.00 each way on Ian Poulter @ 67/1

£1.00 each way on Bubba Watson @ 151/1

And of course my patriotic bet goes to Michael Campbell, £1.00 each way @ a monstrous 501/1