Colm, your career has been one of many tales I’m sure. From growing up in Ballinasloe to here now in Dubai, it’s been quite a journey!
Indeed, it has been quite a voyage. My duty-free journey began in Ireland in 1969, at Shannon Duty Free, the birthplace of the industry. In July 1983, I moved to Dubai as part of the 10-man team from Aer Rianta (the Irish Airport Authority) at the request of the Dubai Government to set up the duty-free operation. I imagined it as a six-month project but here I am still, 40 years on. 

The face of Dubai must be a complete contrast from 40 years ago?
Dubai was a very different place back then. There was only a handful of buildings, a big roundabout, and not a great deal else. It was a tight-knit community revolving around boat trips on the Creek, piloting small planes to Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, and playing golf on sand at Dubai Country Club. Look at it all now! Now we have some of the world’s best golf courses here in the UAE.

How has the company evolved against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Dubai?
Dubai Duty Free is a success story that mirrors the trajectory of the emirate itself. From the early days we were tasked by the ruling family and in particular H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make it the biggest and the best in the world. To this day the core objectives have remained the same; to provide world class customer service, provide a wide range of quality products and offer value for money, all within a customer-focused environment.

What in your view have been the key ingredients?
Several factors have been led by the tremendous support and encouragement that we have received from the Government of Dubai and in particular from H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free. But the biggest ingredients for Dubai Duty Free is the dedication and effort of all our staff who I believe are the best in the world and of course our customers who are made up of travellers from all over the globe.

With your vast contribution into golf here in Dubai, what would some of those highlights be?
Firstly, I would say the privilege I was given to be captain of the Emirates Golf Club (1995/1996) and the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club (2007) I’m the only person to have held both captaincies. We are also extremely proud to be supporting major golf events in Dubai since their inception, the Dubai Desert Classic, the Dubai Moonlight Classic, the Race to Dubai and of course now into it’s 30th year, the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup.

How special was it previously be to be title sponsor for the Irish Open on the then European Tour?
We are proud that our support as the title sponsor of the tournament for seven years has greatly helped restore the status of this major sporting event. And while it is currently under a new title sponsor, Horizon Irish Open, we are still here, continuing to support the event as an official partner.

There are the many other activities that Dubai Duty Free reach beyond the shops though.
The promotion of ‘Dubai Inc.’ was a core platform of our strategy from the beginning. One of the things we’ve done very well is support so many events at the highest level and all around the globe, Dubai Duty Free is effectively promoting Dubai’s sporting, leisure, and business facilities, which are second to none.

What has your time in Dubai with Dubai Duty Free taught you?
So far, I am most proud of the fact that Dubai Duty Free has developed a reputation for looking after its people. What is important in any work you do is to recognise the people who work for you. Wherever you are in life, do not lose touch with reality.

What will drive the next phase as the company moves into its fifth decade?
I’m very happy that Dubai Duty Free has grown to become the single biggest duty-free operation at an airport anywhere in the world. We are going to do in excess of US$2 billion this year in sales, which surpasses our pre-pandemic sales in 2019. So, if I were to forecast ten years ahead, I would be talking about US$3 billion in sales, with larger retail areas, more shops and boutiques, and around 7–8,000 staff members.

Main image: Supplied

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By Kent Gray
The coronavirus pandemic has cut a swathe through the 2020 Race to Dubai schedule. Thankfully the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open has survived the chaos although, like a lot of professional golf events around the world, not totally unscathed.

Originally a Rolex Series event scheduled for Mount Juliet Estate in County Kilkenny from May 28-31, the DDF Irish Open was postponed on March 30 due to COVID-19. Now the €1.25 million European Tour event has a new date, a new home and less prize money than originally planned for 2020.

Galgorm Castle Golf Club will become the fourth club from Northern Ireland to host the island of Ireland’s national open from September 24-27, the date vacated by the rescheduling of The 2020 Ryder Cup to 202. It follows the week after the U.S. Open at Winged Foot and will be one of just five regular season events (not including majors or WGC events) before the season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, rescheduled from mid Nov. to Dec.10-13.

It will be the first time the County Antrim venue has hosted the DDF Irish Open.

The 2020 Ryder Cup would have been a celebration of Irish golf with three-time Major Champion Padraig Harrington captaining Europe in the contest at Whistling Straits – the third European Captain from the island of Ireland in the past four contests. While that will now happen next September, the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm this September will mark a new chapter in the tournament’s history.

DDF’s Colm McLoughlin with Jon Rahm after winning the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for a second time in 2019

With quarantine restrictions for travellers into the Republic of Ireland ongoing and the ban on mass gatherings still in place, the European Tour made the decision to move the tournament to Northern Ireland where it will be subject to similar guidelines to the current ‘UK Swing’ events, including being played behind closed doors. Planning remains on-going for the tournament to return to Mount Juliet in 2021 providing all health guidelines in place at that time can be met.

Following the changes to the date and the venue, allied to the overall disruption to the schedule, the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will have a prize fund of €1.25 million and therefore will not be part of the Rolex Series. The European Tour will announce full plans for the Rolex Series in due course.

“The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is an integral part of the European Tour’s schedule and despite the obvious challenges of staging any event in the current circumstances, we felt it was important to continue with the tournament providing we could do so safely,” said European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley.

“We did that, first and foremost with the support of Colm McLoughlin and everyone involved with our title sponsor Dubai Duty Free who once again showed commitment and understanding of the current global situation, and proved what a wonderful partner of the European Tour they are. We also did it with the support of the Northern Ireland Executive who deserve our sincere thanks.

“With the ongoing restrictions in the Republic of Ireland, we opted to move the tournament to Northern Ireland and are extremely grateful to Gary Henry and everyone at Galgorm Castle Golf Club for stepping up to host us.”

Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said: “We have been working closely with the European Tour over the past several months to find a way of staging the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this year. The priority of course has been to stage an event that strictly follows all government protocols in light of Covid-19 and to ensure the safety of players and all those involved in the event.

“We are pleased that the Galgorm Castle Golf Club in County Antrim has been selected as a suitable venue, with the Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort as the official accommodation. Without a doubt, the tournament will be different this year but we think that the players and fans are going to enjoy this return to world-class golf on the Island of Ireland.”

Galgorm Castle Golf Club has hosted the Northern Ireland Open on the European Challenge Tour since 2013, including last year’s innovative tournament – the ISPS Handa World Invitational Men|Women presented by Modest! Golf Management which featured both a men’s and women’s competition.

Despite hosting the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open from September 24-27, the County Antrim venue will continue its involvement with the Challenge Tour by also hosting the Northern Ireland Open hosted by The R&A from September 3-6.

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By Kent Gray
The Dubai Duty Free-sponsored Irish Open is the latest victim of the Coronavirus as the global pandemic continues to wreak havoc with the European Tour’s Race to Dubai schedule.

The $7 million event, scheduled to be hosted by Mount Juliet Estate & Golf Club in Kilkenny from May 28-31, was postponed on Monday. It is the first Rolex Series event of 2020 delayed but follows the postponement or cancellation of 10 other events on the European Tour schedule in a span stretching from mid-March to the end of May.

“The decision to postpone the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open follows consultation with all stakeholders and was made with public health and well-being as our absolute priority,” said European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley. “Our thoughts are with everyone right now and we are all united in trying to fight the spread of the pandemic.

“With this in mind, we will continue to evaluate all aspects of our 2020 European Tour schedule, and discussions on the rescheduling of postponed events will remain ongoing until we have clarity on the global situation.”

It is clear the 2020 Race to Dubai, which is due to conclude with the $8 million DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai from Nov. 19-22, now needs serious re-working if it can be saved at all.

The other European Tour events postponed or cancelled are the Magical Kenya Open, the Hero Indian Open, the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (cancelled), The Masters, the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, the Volvo China Open, Sergio Garcia’s Andalucia Masters, the GolfSixes Cascais (cancelled), the PGA Championship and the Made in Denmark.

The European Tour stopped ticket sales and hospitality packages until further notice in mid-March.

The next Race to Dubai event set to go is the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco. The normally second-tier event in Rabat from June 4-7 is just two weeks before the U.S. Open at Harding Park in San Francisco which is also in severe doubt given the growing COVID-19 death toll sweeping across the U.S.

RELATED: The Masters in November? The Open in September? Ryder Cup in flux? Golf’s 2020 plans under discussion, sources say

Colm McLoughlin, Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, said the decision to postpone the Irish Open was simple. An alternative date has not been released.

“We fully support the European Tour in their decision to postpone the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. The most important thing right now is the health and safety of all the players, the spectators, the sponsors and organisers, so it’s the right decision,” said McLoughlin.

Graeme McDowell, tournament host, said: “As important as the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is to all of us, everyone’s health is our only concern. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the crisis and I hope everyone keeps safe and well during these difficult times.”

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Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and stunning Lahinch Golf Club play host to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for the first time this month. For Colm McLoughlin, it’s a sponsor’s dream.

By Kent Gray
The 64th edition of the Irish Open will be laced with nostalgia for not only the tournament’s title sponsor but also one of the European Tour’s most significant supporters.

The $7 million Rolex Series event starting Thursday marks the fifth year of Dubai Duty Free’s title sponsorship and the staging at Lahinch Golf Club is particularly special for the airport retail operator’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin.

Not only was McLoughlin a former member at the Co. Clare club, his wife Breeda hails from the county. Indeed, there is even a professional link for McLoughlin – nearby Shannon Airport opened the world’s first duty free shop in 1947.

Colm McLoughlin with 2018 DDF Irish Open Champion Russell Knox

McLoughlin is marking 50 years in the duty free industry this year after joining Shannon Duty Free on June 1, 1969. He was general manager in 1983 when the Government of Dubai contracted the Irish aviation authority, Aer Rianta, to set up Dubai Duty Free and McLoughlin headed up the Irish team. When Dubai Duty Free opened for business in December of that year, Colm was asked to stay on as General Manager and he has continued as head of the operation, which last year recorded record sales of US$2.015 billion.

“As a company, we really liked the choice of Lahinch as venue for this year’s tournament because of that link with Shannon, County Clare and the entire duty free industry. It’s going to be extra special for everyone involved with Dubai Duty Free this year,” the Dubai-based Irishman said.

The Irish Open is one of golf’s oldest and most historic events, having been played since 1927. For the first four years of Dubai Duty Free’s sponsorship, Rory McIlroy has been the figurehead of the event but 2019 marks the start of a new era where the modern greats of the Irish game will form a ‘pool’ of hosts who will rotate each year. First up is victorious 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley while major champions Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell as well as Rory McIlroy will all join the roster.

2019 host Paul McGinley

Ryder Cup legends Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, 2017 Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood, 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen, two-time major champion Martin Kaymer, Dubai-domiciled Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello and victorious 2018 Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn are confirmed starters. Scot Russell Knox, who edged Kiwi Ryan Fox at Ballyliffin Golf Club last year with a pair of almost identical birdie putts on the last hole of regulation and the first hole of a sudden-death playoff, is back to defend his title.

Dubai Duty Free became an official partner to the European Tour in a four-year agreement last year. The announcement followed the extension of its naming rights sponsorship of the Irish Open through to 2022.

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By Golf Digest Middle East
Alberto Rubio has won the 26th Dubai Duty Free Golf Cup.

Highlighted by three successive birdies in his outward nine, Rubio scored 43 stableford points on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. He won the prestigious title by two points from JGE club member Klaus Hansson who had the consolation of claiming the men’s division from Subhojit Biswas and Richard Collins. Biswas edged Collins into second place on a card countback after both signed for 40 points.

With 41 points, Orla Shorten streaked to a 10-point victory in the ladies division from Gabby Greipel. Beatrice Galeppini was third on 29 points.

Barry McGettigan won the gross prize with a thoroughly impressive one-under-par 71 while Aayan Dadabhoy won the junior competition with 29 points.

“We are the proud hosts of many events through the year and this one tends to mark the end of the golfing season in Dubai and it is always a great high to go out on,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of Dubai Duty Free.

“We look forward to seeing some of you back in September for the Dubai Duty Free Seniors Cup. My thanks to all participants and thank you to Jumeirah Golf Estates for staging the tournament.”

A field of 92 players played for the 26^th Dubai Duty Free Cup.

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The airport retail operator has signed a four year deal to become an Official Partner of the game’s most global tour, joining Rolex, BMW, Emirates, Hilton and Titleist on an exclusive list. No financial details were released.

The deal follows the extension of DDF’s title sponsorship of Dubai Duty Free Irish Open until 2020 with a two year right of renewal, announced last week. Jon Rahm opens his defence of the Rolex Series event at Ballyliffin on Thursday.

Related: Dubai Duty Free ‘delighted’ with Irish Open’s star treatment

“We are pleased to join a stellar list of companies to become an official partner of European Tour,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of DDF.

“We have identified marketing opportunities for our brand across several tournaments as well as digital elements that will enable us to engage with our global customers. We are very excited about this partnership going forward and believe it will enhance our existing sponsorship portfolio.”

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive Officer of the European Tour, said: “This agreement marks an important evolution of our partnership and we are thrilled to welcome Dubai Duty Free to the European Tour Official Partner family. We look forward to working closely with them in future to build their brand awareness and achieve their goal of supporting sport globally.”

In 2017, the European Tour heralded a new era for the game as eight prestigious events were elevated to Rolex Series status, each event carrying a minimum US$7 million prize fund. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is one of them.

DDF association with the European Tour dates back to 1989 and the first (now Omega) Dubai Desert Classic. It’s backing extended to DP World Tour Championship upon the the season-ending event’s 2009 debut  before the it assumed the title-sponsorship of the Irish Open, one of golf’s most historic national Opens, in 2015.

DDF also support the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and horse racing’s prestigious Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

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As tournament host and defending champion, Rory McIlroy has every right to be “pretty excited” about next month’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart GC in Northern Ireland.

Given an unwanted weekend off at the U.S. Open, McIlroy probably won’t grumble at a genuine links land test at the Londonderry course a fortnight out from the 146^th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale either.

The four-time major champion was rolled out Monday, in a media release form anyway, as UAE media were briefed on Dubai Duty Free’s pivotal role in the new $7million Rolex Series event from July 6-9.

McIlroy heads a star-studded cast for Portstewart which includes former U.S. Open winner Justin Rose, 2017 U.S. Open runner-up Hideki Matsuyama, Spanish sensation Jon Rahm, 2016 Masters winner Danny Willett, Northern Irish major champions Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell and Ireland’s three-time major champion Padraig Harrington.

“Since I got involved in hosting the tournament through my [Rory] Foundation and we created this partnership with Dubai Duty Free and the European Tour, the Irish Open has really grown into one of the best weeks on the European Tour schedule,” McIlroy said in a statement.

“I think everyone in golf knows how special a relationship I have with Dubai, so to have Dubai Duty Free as the title sponsor of the Irish Open is a nice extension of that.

“This year the tournament has gone up another level with a new date, a new strategy to play the tournament on a links course in the build-up to the Open Championship, and an increased prize fund of $7 million.

“All of those factors have enabled us to attract players like Justin Rose, Hideki Matsuyama and Jon Rahm to Portstewart this year and I think we are set for an incredible week.”

McIlroy produced magical fairway-wood second shots from 273 yards and 252 yards to the 16th and 18th greens for a birdie and eagle respectively to capture last year’s Irish Open in dramatic fashion at the K Club in Kildare.

The shot to 18 was later voted European Tour shot of the year.

Officially the 2016 Shot of the Year pic.twitter.com/MndubI1kmq

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2017

Struggling through an injury-plagued season that has so far spanned just 21 competitive rounds, McIlroy is also a confirmed starter for the July 13-16 Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Troon.

In addition to the Irish Open, it will give the 28-year-old Northern Irishman potentially eight rounds of links golf to prepare for Royal Birkdale as he eyes a first major title since the 2014 Open at Hoylake.

Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free with Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International Dubai Office

Meanwhile, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin has admitted Dubai Duty Free are likely to take up a two-year contract extension once the original four-year #DDFIrishOpen sponsorship expires after the 2018 edition.

Watch McLoughlin’s comments here:

European Ryder Cup stars Thomas Pieters, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Andy Sullivan, Matt Fitzpatrick and Chris Wood are also confirmed starters for Portstewart.

“We are delighted that it is now part of the Rolex Series with a vastly increased prize fund and with a new date on the calendar,” said McLoughlin.

“As part of the Rolex Series and of course the [27th of 47 events in the] Race to Dubai, the tournament will have extended broadcasting hours this year, which is something important to us as title sponsors in the promotion of our brand.

“The line-up of players is terrific and of course Rory’s continued involvement, both as the defending champion and through the Rory Foundation, has had a hugely positive impact on the growth of this tournament.

“We are looking forward to a fantastic week of golf at Portstewart Golf Club, which is a stunning course, and given the enthusiasm of the Northern Irish golf fans we can expect a great turnout of spectators.”

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