On location: JTI’s Philip Haine wins 30th edition of the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup : Moodie Davitt Report

It’s a double celebration for Dubai Duty Free this year as it celebrates its 40th anniversary (20 December) and the 30th edition of the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup

UAE. The 30th edition of the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup concluded on Friday at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, after the opening day at the Trump International Golf Club. The competition was won by at Japan Tobacco International Regional Sales Director, MENEAT Travel Retail Philip Haine, with a total of 76 stableford points.

Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin said, “The 30th Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup is an exceptional event to host. I am delighted to see it grow to become one of the most popular and enjoyable social events in the travel retail industry calendar, and to reach this milestone year, which coincides with our operation’s 40th anniversary, is truly remarkable.

“I’m happy to see familiar and new faces joining us for two days of friendly competition. Our congratulations go to all of our winners. Thanks also to the team at Dubai Duty Free for their efforts and to Trump International and Dubai Creek Golf Club for making the event so enjoyable.”

Overall Local Winners in the Men’s and Ladies Divisions were Ara Nakhnikian (33 and 37 points) and Naima Maya (34 and 36 points). Among Visitors, men’s winner was Steve Flanagan with rounds of 38 and 37 points. Nancy Miller won the Ladies’ division with rounds of 31 and 34.

2023 champion Philip Haine receives the trophy from senior Dubai Duty Free management including Joint COOs Salah Tahlak and Ramesh Cidambi (second and third left), Senior Vice President Marketing Sinead El Sibai (second right), Irish golf pro Des Smyth and Dubai Duty Free ambassadors

Winning formula: Philip Haine pictured with the 2022 champion Dermot Davitt

To mark 30 years of the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup, a group of friends of Dubai Duty Free commissioned a special cartwork to present to senior Dubai Duty Free management past and present. Top, the presentation to the senior team. Above, pictured with former Dubai Duty Free President George Horan (fourth from left) are Barry Geoghegan, Kevin Walsh, Martyn Westbury, Art Miller, James Kfouri, Dermot Davitt, Dan Cappell and Jonathan Holland.

The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club played host to day two of the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup. Below, Dermot Davitt, Dan Cappell, golf pro Des Smyth (centre), John Boland and Art Miller with the Dubai Duty Free ambassadors.

Warm welcome: Dubai Duty Free Chief Operating Officer Ramesh Cidambi greets the best and the worst of travel retail’s golfers to the Gala Dinner at The Irish Village; alongside him are Joint COO Salah Tahlak (second left), Irish golf pro Des Smyth and Dubai Duty Free Senior Vice President Marketing Sinead El Sibai. Below, Ontario International Airport Authority Advisor Dan Cappell and ARI Middle East CEO Rob Marriott (pictured with the senior DDF team and Des Smyth) are winners in the Dubai Duty Free Champagne raffle draw.

‘Straight and true’ is our perhaps optimistic message to some of the industry’s less naturally talented golfers as we once again sponsor the golf carts on day one

The leading travel retailer welcomed almost 100 executives from the industry, including reigning champion (in fact, two-time winner), The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot ‘Divot’ Davitt.

One of the most-anticipated events on the duty free calendar, the invitation-only tournament has attracted more than 50 overseas players in addition to those competing from the UAE and the Gulf region.

Three contenders for the title (as in odds of 3,300 to one, they just got the numbers mixed up), industry veterans Peter Sant, Jonathan Holland and David Spillane just before tee-off

Not a hair out of place (admittedly not many still in place) as (left to right) Andrew Webster, Barry Geoghegan, Kevin Walsh and David Spillane tip their caps to Dubai Duty Free

Oh, oh, looks like a three putt (optimistically) coming up as Barry Geoghegan, Kevin Walsh and David Spillane size up a devilishly tricky downhill left to right then right to left then Peter Pan-ish straight on till morning 77 footer. “It looks quite long to me,” says David sagely. “Just keep it on the grass,” Barry chips in (though he never does). “I don’t think I can get up,” adds Kevin.

(Above and below) Dramatic footage of a bunker at the Trump course before and after Barry Geoghegan’s multiple attempts to escape it

Renowned Indian tee-planter Sunil Tuli, wearing typically understated fire-engine red trousers

Sunil, a professional coach 60 years ago in his youth (see videos below) gives a few pointers to Jonathan ‘Chaps’ Holland, renowned for his beguiling, almost sensual (we said ‘almost’) array of dance-like swings. “You put your right foot in Chaps, you put your right foot out/You put your right foot in, and you shake it all about/You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around/That’s what it’s all about.” Chaps’ odds have just lengthened to 33,000 to 1.

{Sunil Tuli is one of the finest golfers to have emerged from his tiny home village of Skuru in India’s Nubra Valley (population 230. 229 since Sunil moved to Singapore). However, he gave up the professional game at an early age (7) to instead carve a high-profile career in the duty free industry (he is now Group Chief Executive for King Power Hong Kong and President of the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association). In this lesson, Sunil shows how to easily master the art of putting spin on the ball. No children or animals were hurt in the making of this movie. Although Sunil was.}

(Left) Sunil lines up his first putt from 105 feet. “Did I win closest to the pin? Is this a gimme?” he demands of playing partner Art Miller; (Right) Sunil lines up his third putt from 64 feet. Due to technical difficulties (the lack of a wide-angle lens) we cannot show you the hole.

The father and son combination of John (12 to 1) and Karl Sutcliffe (22 to one), useful golfers both

Duty Free Global Founder Barry Geoghegan (odds 14,000 to one but a one in a million character) and Dermot Davitt (18-1) together with a member of the hard-working Dubai Duty Free team

Balloons display the 30th anniversary message, not the only example of hot air on the course today

Pictured left to right with two members of the Dubai Duty Free team are Niall McLoughlin, Dermot Divot (alongside a fellow Irish golf professional Des Smyth), Dickie Pyne and John Sutcliffe

Fairway to heaven: A hurling-like swing from John Sutcliffe but while the finishing pose might suggest he’s hit it backwards into the water, John actually smoked it down the centre

A more orthodox swing here from Niall (son of Colm) McLoughlin. Distance and accuracy in one perfect shot. Must be in the genes.

A fearsome foursome but don’ t be put off by their looks. From left are Peter Sant (representing the UK), Art Miller (the USA), Sunil Tuli (India) and Jonathan ‘Chaps’ Holland (The Netherlands)

How great thou Art: Singapore-based, American golfing star Art ‘Rat’ Miller pauses mid-swing for a photo opportunity

Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “We are proud to have been running this tournament for three decades, and we are looking forward to welcoming our players and guests this year to enjoy the atmosphere of friendly competition.

“This milestone year, which also coincides with another milestone year for the operation as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, is a fitting celebration and a great meeting place for those involved in the duty fee industry for social interaction. We are also happy to welcome back Des Smyth as our golf pro for the tournament.”

The Moodie Davitt Report has released a special publication to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Dubai Duty Free.

A gala dinner will take place tonight (23 November) at The Irish Village, with special entertainment by Irish band The Villagers. ✈