23 teams of players took part in the annual Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Golf Classic at the Palmer Ryder Cup Course at The K Club on Thursday (June 27th). This annual event helps to mark the start of the highly anticipated Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival and is just one of the ancillary events which are run by Dubai Duty Free over the festival weekend.

Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, Colm McLoughlin, led out the teams following a shotgun start, and the field of 92 players worked their way around the stunning Co. Kildare course which was home to the 2006 Ryder Cup and the 2016 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. The teams of four competed gamely throughout, though they weren’t aware of each other’s final scores until they were revealed at the barbecue reception later. Following their rounds of golf, all players enjoyed a beautiful evening barbecue on the balcony of the Palmer Clubhouse which overlooks the 18th green on the Ryder Cup course.

It was the team captained by former Irish professional footballer, Niall Quinn who toasted success by finishing with an overall score of 86 points. Dave Whelan, Mark Kelly and Timmy O’ Driscoll were the other three members on the winning team that earned the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Golf Classic trophy. The four members of the winning team also received two VIP tickets for the exclusive Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day at the Curragh Racecourse on Saturday, 29th June where they will enjoy full hospitality.

Niall Quinn, said, 'Thank you to Colm and all his team at Dubai Duty Free for believing in sport in Ireland. I would also like to thank Sharon Smurfit and all the staff at The K Club for a fantastic day. It is because Dubai Duty Free believe in Irish Sport that we all get to come here and take part in this great day'.

The Curragh team comprising of the Curragh Chairman, Padraig McManus along with Morgan Lalor, Dessie Scahill and Tony Jones finished in second after recording a score of 79 points, while Michael Stone, Robbie Dolan, Matt Doyle and Pat Mangan were the four members of the group in third place, finishing with 77 points.

Nearest the pin was won by legendary racing commentator, Dessie Scahill. The longest drive award for the men went to Keith Feehily while Michelle Tighe scooped the same accolade in the ladies’ category.

Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, Colm Mcloughlin was also presented with an honorary membership of the K Club by Director of Golf, Sharon Smurfit at the barbecue reception.

Speaking after he was presented with The K Club Honorary Membership, Colm said, 'Thank you so much to The K Club. I am getting to like Kildare more and more! Yesterday, I was honoured by Kildare County Council for my contribution to the county of Kildare and the Curragh treated myself and my team to a fantastic dinner and now this prestigious honorary membership. I love The K Club. I got to know the course very well in 2016 when we held the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open here. I want to thank you all very much for playing today. The golf today was extremely competitive, and the golf course at The K Club was in pristine condition'.

Sharon Smurfit, Director of Golf presented Colm with the prestigious Honorary Membership and said, 'On behalf of my father, Michael Smurfit and The K Club, I want to thank you Colm for the support you have given to sport in Ireland, in particular to sport in Co. Kildare. Your company has sponsored the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh Racecourse for the past twelve years and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in The K Club in 2016 where our very own Rory McIlroy won. My father would like to say thank you to you and Senior Vice President of Marketing Sinead El Sibai. Sinead was recently recognised as one of the ‘top ten most influential women in sport’. Congratulations are also in order for Colm as he celebrates 50 years in retail. We would like to bestow on you an Honorary Membership to The K Club for your friendship and support'.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby takes place on Saturday, 29th June at the Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open takes place in Lahinch Golf Club, Co. Clare from July 4th-7th, continuing an association that began in 2015.