This past weekend saw a strong field of 97 avid golfers turn out to compete in the 24th Dubai Duty Free Golf Cup 2017. Held at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, the ever popular event is an individual stableford format played from the white tees with golfers competing to be crowned champion and take home the illustrious trophy.
Commenting on the tournament, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said: “The annual Dubai Duty Free Golf Cup has been running for 24 years and the tournament has grown quite popular, with 97 entries this year. I would like to thank my team at Dubai Duty Free and to Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club for organising this wonderful event and look forward to seeing you all next year when we celebrate the tournament’s 25th Anniversary.”
It was last year’s Dubai Creek Club Captain, Patrick Morrow, who produced an exceptional round of golf in humid conditions to claim the title. A superb 44 stableford points saw Patrick win by 4 shots, and after claiming the trophy he commented; “It was just one of those days where everything goes right, 27 putts around Dubai Creek will always help too. I would like to extend my gratitude to Colm and the Dubai Duty Free Team, this is always a fantastic event to play in and this year has been no different.”
In the Men’s Division it was Paul Khoo who claimed victory after a superb round that culminated in 40 stableford points. Stephen Barker and Ara Nakhnikian both had 38 points, with Stephen just claiming the runner up spot thanks to his better inward half. Meanwhile in the gross competition it was scratch team member, and the ever consistent, Edoardo Galeppini who shot a 71 to claim the lowest gross.
The 24th Dubai Duty Free Golf Cup also saw some excellent scores in the Ladies Division. Kristi Sealey, Dubai Creek Lady Captain, used her home course knowledge to produce a great round of 36 points and win the Ladies Division. Fellow Dubai Creek members Glory Xavier and Sheila West came runner up and third respectively with scores of 34 and 31 points. Alok Pant was victorious in the Senior Division with a score of 39 points, while Adam Savage completed the stableford winners claiming the Junior Division title with 35 points.
The strong field of 97 golfers were also competing in a variety of on course competitions throughout the afternoon. Warren Panting was successful in winning the nearest the pin on the 5th, while Kabir Nanda narrowly missed out on a hole in one in claiming the crown on the 14th. Ed Fearn and Mikhail Pinto displayed their big hitting in winning the longest drive on the 4th & 12th holes respectively.