Irish Derby festivities get underway with annual Golf Classic at The K Club

26 teams of golfers braved the increment conditions to take part in another fantastic staging of the annual Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Golf Classic on the stunning Ryder Cup course at The K Club on Thursday June 29th.

Led out by Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, Colm McLoughlin, the field of 104 players worked their way around the course which staged the 2016 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, which was won by home favourite Rory McIlroy in stunning fashion. 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 in the breathtaking lounge in the Palmer Clubhouse overlooking the 18th green of the Ryder Cup course at The K Club.

It was incredibly tight at the top of the leaderboard following 18 holes of golf, but it was former K Club captain John Treacy and his team that won out with a score of 88 points. Brendan Barrett, Gerry McIntyre and Seamus Tully were the other three members on the winning team that captured the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Golf Classic trophy.

The team comprised of Cathy Sammon, Michael Sammon, Farrell O’Boy and Dudley Solan finished second with an agonisingly close 87 point haul, while Arthur French, Pat Kenny, Paddy Whelan and Tom Murphy were the four members of the group in third place, finishing with 86 points.

Tony Kinsella won the ‘nearest the pin’ prize and was presented with an extravagant trophy, as was Gail Collins, the lady whose approach shot landed nearest the pin. The longest drive award for the men went to Andy Carroll, while Maeve O’Reilly scooped the same accolade in the ladies’ category.

Speaking after the event, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, Colm McLoughlin, said; “I first came to The K Club in 2006 for the Ryder Cup and it is a wonderful course that I have had the pleasure of playing on numerous occasions. This is our 10th year as the title sponsors of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, and it is also our 10th year running the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Golf Classic. We’ve enjoyed many memorable days out over the past decade and each year I look forward to this event as it really kicks off a wonderful week of events in the build up to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

“As ever, the staff at The K Club has been most welcoming and attentive. We will be hosting the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Ball here on Friday June 30th, and that is sure to be another great night in which we will help to raise money for the Jack & Jill Foundation.

After the golfers had dried off following their rounds they were treated to a beautiful evening barbecue that featured a raceday preview from legendary racing commentator Des Scahill who gave out some exclusive tips ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day.

John Treacy and his team were presented with their trophies, and they also received two tickets each for the exclusive Dubai Duty Free VIP Pavilion at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday. Mr Treacy was delighted with the effort he and his team put in, and it was extra special for the Abbeyknockmoy, Co Galway, native as he was the captain at The K Club 10 years ago.

“I was captain the year that this was started and I suppose for that reason I look forward to it,” stated Mr Treacy.

“This is our second time winning it and we were second another year and third another year, so this is our fourth time being in the running. All of my team are all members here so that was an advantage.

“I was just thinking today that the team we had here would be very much the same team as the first year we played it and they’ve been with us right through. If we were a football team we’d probably be all gone by now.

“It’s a great prize to win. I have to say that Colm and his team are excellent. They have a great grá for Ireland and of course Colm is a fellow county man of myself, and he does a lot around here.”

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Ball will be held in The Legacy Suite at The K Club on Friday June 30th, before the main event of the weekend takes place at the Curragh when the 152nd Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby goes to post at 5.20pm on Saturday July 1st.