In pictures: Dermot Davitt triumphs at Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup : Moodie Davitt Report

Dermot Davitt receives his prize from Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin, President George Horan, Vice President Corporate Communications Salah Tahlak and Vice President Marketing Sinead El Sibai, along with Irish pro golfer Des Smyth

UAE. The Moodie Report Vice Chairman & Editorial Director Dermot Davitt captured victory at the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup – an event that is the social highlight of the industry calendar – on Thursday.

He scored 41 stableford points at the stunning Emirates Golf Club on Wednesday before hitting 37 at the beautiful Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club a day later. He finished one stroke ahead of scratch golfer Michael McGinley, who won the prize for top locally based player. McGinley’s score included 42 points at The Emirates Faldo course on the first day. Given that McGinley is a scratch handicapper this was quite an achievement, his gross 66 including two eagles.

Colm McLoughlin celebrates with Dermot Davitt and Moodie International President Jaclyn Wampler, who won the women’s runner-up prize in the tournament

It was a stellar day for The Moodie Report, as Moodie International President Jaclyn Wampler was runner-up in the women’s’ category, behind a superb winner in Nancy Miller with her 67 points. Dan Kongsted won the prize for best visitor.

Over 100 specially invited guests from all over the world battled it out over 36 holes with the goal of having their name engraved on the famous trophy.

Davitt said: “It has been a wonderful couple of days and I would like to say a huge thank you to Dubai Duty Free for looking after us so well once again. This event really is the highlight of the year for everyone in our industry. I have been coming to Dubai to play in the DDF Golf World Cup for fifteen years and I am extremely proud to have won.”

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 20 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 Golf Club for making this year’s event so enjoyable.”

The senior’s category was won by Creek member Bayar Khan who used the home course advantage to shoot 40 points in the second round for a total of 75 and finish six points ahead of past winner Steve Flanagan. In the super senior division it was the popular Sandy McPherson who was crowned champion with 59 stableford points.

After the prize giving, Dubai Creek’s Head Golf Professional Stephen Hubner commented: “On behalf of Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club I would like to thank Colm McLoughlin and George Horan from Dubai Duty Free for once again bringing this wonderful event to Dubai Creek. It is a real pleasure for us to host such a friendly group of people, you are like a family! We very much hope that we will be able to host the event once again next year.”

This year’s second round at the Creek coincided with George Horan’s tenure as President of the golf club (making it perhaps fitting that there was an Irish winner).

Between the two days came the ever popular gala dinner at the Irish Village in Dubai, where guests were entertained by Irish group The Molly Maguires.

The event occurred as Dubai Duty Free prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary on 20 December, as the company targets US$1.8 billion in annual sales.