Dubai Duty Free ties with ‘golf in DUBAi’ grow with time
       
 
Sunday, May 02, 2010

DUBAI -- One score year and one. The association between Dubai Duty Free and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic since the inception of the European Tour event in 1989 has grown with time.

It goes to a whole new level with the award-winning airport retail operation signing up a fresh contract with ‘golf in DUBAI’ --- the promoters and organisers of the premier tournament in the Middle East along with the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters –- to support Dubai's rapid expansion as a major global commercial and sporting destination.

While the brand Dubai Duty Free is now synonymous with its own ATP and WTA tennis tournaments at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, the company has been a key supporter of most major sporting events in the Emirate, including the world-famed Dubai World Cup and the Dubai Rugby 7s from the very outset.

Golf plays equally an important role in Dubai Duty Free's drive to maintain an aggressive profile through a range of sponsorships on the fairways and greens of the Emirate. It is also a corporate patron of the Emirates Golf Federation and hosts the industry-focussed Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup as well as sponsoring the Dubai Duty Free UAE Nationals Cup, Dubai Duty Free Golf Cup and the Dubai Duty Free Seniors Cup.

“With golf in DUBAi boasting two major world-class events, naturally we are delighted to be involved with them. I think it’s our common objective of promoting Dubai and the drive for excellence in sport that have led to a perfect partnership," said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free.

“We think sports are good to be involved with as believe that sporting events are a tremendous way of reaching a global audience while highlighting the outstanding leisure facilities in Dubai,” said McLoughlin, himself a keen golfer and former captain of both the Emirates Golf Club and the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.

The Omega Dubai Desert Classic has already become a landmark event for the city of Dubai, and the addition of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters in 2006 has further cemented the city’s reputation as one of the most sought-after golfing destinations in the world.

“If Dubai has earned the sobriquet of being the sporting capital of the region, it's because organisations like DDF have played a key role in promoting all world-class events in the emirates," said Mohamed Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, an event management which is now a part of the Investment Corporation of Dubai’s portfolio.

"The DDF logo is a familiar sight in all big sporting events in Dubai and that's a tribute to the company's commitment to further raise the profile of the emirate on the international level.

“Sponsorship plays a vital role in the success of any sporting event and it's really a matter of pride for all of us at golf in DUBAi to see Dubai Duty Free, which is one of the biggest brand names in our country, support our initiatives. We are privileged to have them on board.”

Since the day former Ryder Cup captain Mark James became the first winner in 1989, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic has seen a galaxy of big names such as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal, Mark O'Meara, Henrik Stenson, Thomas Bjorn, Colin Montgomerie and Rory McIlroy inscribe their names on the huge trophy, making it one of the most popular events on the European Tour.

So is the case with the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters which has showcased the svelte swing of Michelle Wie, Annika Sorenstam, Laura Davies, Karrie Webb, Natalia Gulbis, Gwladys Nocera, Sophie Gustafason and Catriona Matthews to a global audience, putting women’s golf on the upswing.

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