Colm and Breeda McLoughlin receive a special memento to mark the 25 years of the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup.

Wednesday 22 and 23 of November marked this year’s 25th Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup as more than 100 players teed off in round one at the Trump International Golf Club and in round 2 at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

Dubai Duty Free reports that its guests were able to enjoy ‘two stunning golf courses in a fantastic atmosphere amongst friends, guests and colleagues’ with a whole host of prizes throughout the respective Men’s, Ladies’ and Senior’s Divisions.

BIG THANKS TO THE DUBAI TEAM…

Commenting on yet another successful event, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free 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 twenty five years of golf and thank you for celebrating with us.”

In a nice touch, DDF presented a certificate of appreciation to some of those individuals who have taken part in the event since it began back in 1993. At the same time, a special memento was also awarded to Colm McLoughlin by some industry friends for running the annual tournament for so many years – along with appreciation for his contribution to the duty free industry.

As for winners, there were many with Clark Francis crowned champion of the 25th edition of the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup following an ‘outstanding two-day stableford points total of 75’.

George Horan, Sandy MacPherson and Steve Flanagan have been presented with a certificate of recognition for playing in the tournament at almost every event since 1993, while Des Smyth (far right) was recognised again for being the tournament’s golf pro since 1999.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS…

The following report from DDF describes the leading performers and performances during the two-day event.

After 37 points on Day 1 at the Trump International, Clark produced an exceptional performance of 38 points at Dubai Creek on Day 2. Clark beat overnight leader Antoin Breen on count-back after a better second-round score.

After being presented his trophy Clark commented; “This is such a huge honour to have won this event! It always is 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.”

OVERALL LOCAL CHAMPION….

After losing on count-back to the overall champion, it was Antoin Breen who prevailed in the Men’s Division to be named the overall local champion after rounds of 42 and 33 points.

Making the trip from abroad, the overall visitor winner was James Maxwell with a two-day total of 74 points, clawing his way back into contention after a superb final round of 40 points.

Elsewhere in the Men’s Division, Art Miller and Abdul Aziz Al Akim finished overall runner up and second runner up after two day totals of 74 and 73 points respectfully.

DDF headed by the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin presenting the trophy to Clark Francis, the overall winner, at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, together with Des Smyth, golf pro (3rd from right).

MORE ‘SUPERB PERFORMANCES…’

Sebastien Graeff was also awarded for his superb performance – most noticeably firing a day two score of 43 points to be awarded the Special Participation Trophy – the best performance from a guest not directly linked to the international travel retail industry.

In the Ladies Division, Amarjeet Radia prevailed to be crowned the overall local winner after an exquisite two-round total of 69, whilst a total of 66 ensured victory in the overall visitor division for Jessica Beh.

Sixty points from Carmel King saw her pick up the overall runner-up prize, beating fellow competitor Joan Legnar by just a single shot. Joan however was awarded the 2nd runner up prize for her fine efforts.

In the Senior’s Division, Cees Vandooren claimed the overall super senior title after a very respectable two day total of 65 points and Bharat Ghodkhindi was awarded as the super senior winner.

At the same time, Francisco Giles claimed the overall senior’s prize after an outstanding total of 74 points, whilst Richard Newman fired identical scores of 36 points to clinch the senior runner up prize.

Colm and Breeda McLoughlin receive a special memento from all their friends to mark the 25 years of the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup.

MOST NOTABLE PERFORMANCES…?

At Trump International on day 1, the Men’s Division also saw some impressive performances. The most notable performances came from Michael McGinley who was awarded the best gross, Sunil Tuli who claimed day 1 1st place and Martyn Westbury who claimed day 1 2nd place.

At Dubai Creek on Day 2, performances were equally as impressive, John Finnigan was awarded the best gross, Jean-Stefan Camerini day 2 1st place and Dave Cattanach day 2 second place.

For the Ladies, it was Jessica Howells and Catherine Bonelli who were awarded the day 1 ladies title and runner up spot for the second year in a row, whilst Charmaine Brewer claimed the day 1 best gross prize.

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST….

Nancy Miller found her form on day 2 to be presented with 1st place, whilst 2nd place on day 2 was awarded to Lui Ming. A fantastic second-day performance, including two birdies in a row on holes 13 and 14, meant that Naima Maya was presented with the day 2 best gross prize.

On Day 1, Nancy Miller, Fredrik Gjardman, Sunil Tuli and Antoin Breen showed great accuracy on the par 3’s and were all awarded in the nearest the pin competitions, whilst in the longest drive contest, Naima Maya, Amarjeet Radia, Hannes Messner and Michael McGinley were awarded.

On Day 2, Jessica Beh, Maria Vandooren, Francisco Giles and Raimund Legnar were awarded for their accurate tee shots in the nearest the pin prizes. The longest drive prizes were claimed by Naima Maya, Amarjeet Radia, James Finnigan and Shibu Thomas.