The clubhouse at The K Club, venue for this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open |
IRELAND. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation begins today with a stellar golfing line-up plus record prize money. It takes place at the K Club in County Kildare and runs through to 22 May.
Led by reigning Masters Champion Danny Willett, the field includes eight Major champions among 12 top-50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking. Rory McIlroy heads up the Irish contingent of Major champions, which includes 2007 Irish Open Champion Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell, with Germany’s Martin Kaymer, Korea’s Y.E. Yang and South Africa’s Trevor Immelman making up one of the strongest fields in the tournament’s history.
Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin greets The Moodie Davitt Report’s Dermot Davitt and (below) McLoughlin and Davitt with GTR Sales’ David Spillane |
It began on Wednesday with the Pro-Am tournament, which took place in stunning conditions at the iconic former Ryder Cup venue, with The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt invited to take part in a group with popular Irish pro Des Smyth. The field included many leading professionals including Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Victor Dubuisson, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Lee Westwood.
Rory McIlroy attracts intense interest on the driving range while (below) Dermot Davitt gets into the swing as the crowds gather for the Pro-Am |
Celebrities taking part included Irish rugby stars Brian O’Driscoll and Keith Wood, snooker player Dennis Taylor, One Direction singer Niall Horan, business tycoons JP McManus and Dermot Desmond, jockeys Johnny Murtagh and AP McCoy, former Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland Dick Spring and His Highness Prince Albert of Monaco.
Representing the duty free industry alongside the Dubai Duty Free team were Dermot Davitt and King Power Group (Hong Kong)’s Sunil Tuli, along with David Spillane of GTR Sales, who caddied for Davitt on the day.
Teeing off (from left): Ireland’s ex-Deputy Prime Minister (Tanaiste) Dick Spring, Dermot Davitt, Irish pro Des Smyth and friend of Dubai Duty Free Paul Cropera begin their round |
Dermot Davitt prepares to hit on the 10th hole; (below) Davitt and former Irish Deputy Prime Minister Dick Spring dream of winning the hole-in-one prize |
Speaking at the prize presentation for the afternoon starters, Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin said: “We are very happy to renew our partnership with the European Tour and to sponsor this wonderful event at the K Club, which provides such great service. We’re looking forward to a terrific week.”
Irish pro Des Smyth with Dermot Davitt and David Spillane on the walk down the 18th fairway, with the clubhouse in the background |
A good fit: David Spillane pictured between two great brands; he now represents Waterford Crystal’s accessories in travel retail |
Tour professional and Ryder Cup candidate Rafael Cabrera-Bello paid a lovely tribute to Dubai Duty Free and the organisers on behalf of the professionals at the Pro-Am prize-giving ceremony. He said: “Dubai Duty Free has long been a champion of sports events and we thank them for their support this week. You could also not have a better ambassador than Rory. It’s my first time playing here and it looks to be a very complete course and I look forward to a successful week.”
Colm McLoughlin greets guests to the Pro-Am (afternoon session) prize-giving at the clubhouse |
Rafael Cabrera-Bello led his team to victory in the Pro-Am tournament on Wednesday; he later spoke warmly about Dubai Duty Free and The K Club venue on the eve of the main tournament, which begins today |
Among the big prize winners in the Pro-Am was a team that featured well-known Irish businessman JP McManus and former leading jump jockey AP McCoy |
Michael McGinley, a well-known figure in duty free and like his brother Paul a terrific golfer, captures the prize for nearest the pin |
Speaking before the event, McLoughlin said: “The inaugural tournament at Royal County Down last year, plus the fact that the Rory Foundation will continue to host the event was central to our decision to extend our sponsorship to 2018.
“We are also pleased that as a result of our sponsorship commitment, The European Tour has announced an increase in prize money from €2,500,000 to €4 million, making it one of the highest purses on the 2016 Race to Dubai and very appealing for international players to participate. The staging of the tournament at The K Club, which has recently undergone a major expansion, is another positive. With all these things combined, we are looking forward to a great event.
“By sponsoring the Irish Open it lifts the significance of the event considerably. At last year’s event it felt to me a bit like the re-birth of the tournament, with Dubai Duty Free and the Rory Foundation behind it. Having been without a title sponsor for a number of years it’s been a great boost for the event. The Dubai Duty Free brand is well recognised around the world and we certainly have a global reach. We believe that being involved in golf, is a good thing, particularly with golf being one of Ireland’s biggest attractions.”
Before the tournament, McIlroy said: “I was absolutely delighted when Colm and Dubai Duty Free came on board. They have a great sponsorship history in the Middle East and in Ireland and England, and the association has given the tournament that extra kudos. Coming together to benefit the lives of young people can only be a good thing. The other important thing for me is that I can learn a lot from Colm and his extensive experience doing charitable work.”
King Power Group (Hong Kong)’s Sunil Tuli with David Spillane at the K Club Hotel after the golf last night |
