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The new champion Clark Francis (centre) with the Dubai Duty Free team of President George Horan, Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin and Vice President – Marketing Sinead El Sibai along with Irish golf professional Des Smyth |
UAE. Clark Francis, a Gulf-based Englishman who supplies services to the regional duty free industry, was a popular winner of the 19th Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup, which concluded yesterday at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
Francis won a tight contest over the two days to capture the big prize in the two-day tournament, which is firmly established as one of the social highlights of the industry calendar.
Gebr Heinemann’s Nadine Heubel was another popular winner, taking home the women’s top prize with a combined stableford score of 68 points.
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Day two of this year’s event was held at the stunning Dubai Creek club |
Commenting on the success of the 19th hosting of the tournament, Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin said: “This tournament has gone from strength to strength since we began it in 1993. Many of the players this week have been coming here for all 19 years, many others for 12 or 13. And most have said they’ll be back next year.
“Thanks to our wonderful team at Dubai Duty Free, who I believe are the best in the world, and to the Dubai Creek Golf Club and The Emirates Club for making this year’s event so enjoyable.”
Day one of the event was held at the Emirates course, with day two at the Creek, both championship standard courses. In between came the annual Gala Dinner, featuring superb entertainment from Irish band The Molly Maguires plus Palladium, a troupe of violinists from Belarus.
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Gebr Heinemann’s Nadine Heubel captured the women’s prize |
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Nadine Heubel and another category winner, Bahrain-based Dick Potter, celebrate with Carmel Horan |
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The Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup is one of the social highlights of the industry year |
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Golf pro Des Smyth lines up on day one with players Dermot Davitt, Garry Stoner, Tom Reidel and Fred Taylor |
McLoughlin said: “I’m very happy that we ‘ve run this event 19 years in a row, and we’re heading for 20 years. This event is part and parcel of Dubai Duty Free, which is heading for its 28th year next month.
“We’re doing very well also this year; we’re +16% so far, and it looks like we’re going to hit AED5.3 billion in sales this year, or US$1.45 billion. There’s another reason to celebrate: the UAE will have its 40th birthday this year, on 2 December, and in our own small way we’ve played a part in the country’s development.”
Sunil Tuli of King Power Group Hong Kong makes a splash at the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup |
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Top-class professionals from different sectors: Irish golfing ace Des Smyth and Dubai Duty Free supremo Colm McLoughlin |
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Deutschland Deutschland über alles: Nadine Heubel revels in the spoils of victory |
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Alan Edwards of Aer Rianta International-Middle East drains a testing, twice-breaking one-foot putt |
