Europe's finest golfers help launch new AP watch in Dubai

Joy Chakravarty 09:51 25/11/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Dream team: CEO François-Henry Bennahmias (3rd R) with AP ambassadors.

    Some of the finest professional golfers in the world, including Sweden’s world No6 Henrik Stenson, Race to Dubai No2 Danny Willett and European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke, took part in the Audemars Piguet-hosted Golf Invitational event at The Els Club.

    – R2D: Sullivan reflects on Dubai heroics
    – VIDEO: Golf industry's $113m wealth in Dubai
    – Woods: Tiger named as one of America's Ryder Cup vice-captains

    Featuring a Dream Team of eight of Audemars Piguet’s world famous golf ambassadors, the private Pro-Am event was also the occasion to launch their new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in Yellow Gold, which shown for the first time in Dubai prior to its official launch at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) this coming January.

    The other golfers who took part in the event were Victor Dubuisson, Ian Poulter, Peter Uihlein, Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger and the 21-year-old Matt Fitzpatrick, who was invited to complete the field.

    François-Henry Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet presented the Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher watch, launched earlier this year, to Dubuisson, Poulter and Stenson, who are all known for their love of motorsport and fast cars.

    Record crowd witness Rory McIlroy win DPWTC title
    Great response: This year’s DPWTC drew record crowd to the Earth course.

    This year’s DP World Tour Championship, which finished on Sunday with Rory McIlroy completing his Dubai double, drew record crowds of 65,280 fans to the Jumeirah Golf Estates.

    The season-ending finale, which was accorded a five star rating by Dubai Sports Council last week, lived up to its reputation once again, with a wide variety of entertainment and eating options making it a social occasion for families.

    A whopping 20,769 spectators turned out on Friday, while almost as many, 19,058, attended on Saturday.

    Nick Tarratt, Director, European Tour International – Dubai Office, said: “It’s great to be able to announce record attendance figures for the tournament.

    “We always felt there was genuine interest from the local, regional and international markets from both advanced registrations from free admission as well as from corporate hospitality sales.”

    Global duty free staff get together for Golf World Cup
    Colm McLoughlin (3rd R) with winners of last year’s DDF Golf World Cup.

    Representatives from the worldwide duty free industry are in Dubai to mark the 23rd running of the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup. Over 100 players will vie for the top spot today and tomorrow when it is played at the Al Badia Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, respectively.

    The two-day tournament was initiated 23 years ago as a way of bringing together representatives of the duty free industry for a few days of friendly competition. This year’s event has attracted over 60 overseas players, with the remaining players living in the UAE and Gulf region. Over the two decades, the tournament has grown into one of the most popular industry golfing events on the duty free calendar.

    Commenting on the forthcoming tournament, Colm McLoughlin, executive vice-chairman of Dubai Duty Free, said: “I am happy to say that the response to this year’s tournament has been excellent. The competition has gone from strength to strength over the years and we are delighted that some of our players have participated every year since 1993.

    “The players enjoy the atmosphere of friendly competition, and the social interaction makes it a good meeting place for those involved in the duty fee industry.”

    The tournament takes place after the Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) conference every year.

    Recommended