UAE. Clark Francis has won the 25th edition of the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup, one of the leading events in the industry social calendar. It is the second time that Francis has won the event, having captured the title in 2011. The two-day tournament attracted over 100 international players. Day one of the tournament took place at the Trump International Golf Club, moving to the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club for the second day.
Dubai Duty FreeExecutive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “Thanks to my team at Dubai Duty Free and to Trump International Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf Club for the successful running of the 25th Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup. I would also like to thank all our friends from the duty free industry who travel without fail to participate on this two-day competition and made this event truly memorable. This is a great 25 years of golf and thank you for celebrating with us.”
As part of the celebration, Dubai Duty Free presented a certificate of appreciation to some individuals who have participated in the tournament since its inception in 1993. These included former Dubai Duty Free President George Horan and inaugural winner Steve Flanagan. A special memento was also presented to McLoughlin by a group of industry friends, for spearheading this annual competition and for his contribution to the duty free industry.
The tournament attracts top executives from the duty free industry worldwide each year. This year’s line-up included 74 overseas players from the UK, Germany, France, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, Switzerland, Sweden, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines and the Netherlands. The remaining players hail from the UAE and the Gulf, including representatives from duty free companies in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Bahrain.
Winning golfer Clark Francis said: “This is such a huge honour to have won this event. It is always a superb two days, and of course this year was no different. Thank you to Colm and Dubai Duty Free once again for putting on a superb competition.”
After losing on count-back to the overall champion, Irishman Antoin Breen prevailed in the Men’s Division to be named the overall local champion after rounds of 42 and 33 points. The overall visitor winner was James Maxwell with a total of 74 points, clawing his way back into contention after his superb final round of 40 points.
Elsewhere in the Men’s Division, Art Miller and Abdul Aziz Al Akim finished the overall runner-up and 2nd runner-up after two day totals of 74 and 73 points respectively. Sebastien Graeff was also awarded for his superb performance, firing a day two score of 43 points to be awarded the Special Participation Trophy, the best performance from a guest not directly linked the international travel retail industry.
In the Ladies Division, Amarjeet Radia was crowned the overall local winner after a two round total of 69 while a total of 66 ensured victory in the overall visitor division for Jessica Beh. 60 points from Carmel King saw her pick up the overall runner-up prize, beating fellow competitor Joan Legnar by just a single shot.
In the Senior’s Division, Cees Vandooren claimed the overall super super senior title after a strong two day total of 65 points, Bharat Ghodkhindi was named super senior winner, Francisco Giles claimed the overall seniors prize after an outstanding total of 74 points, while Richard Newman fired identical scores of 36 points to clinch the senior runner-up prize.
