Jumeirah Brand Ambassador Wins GQ Sportsman of the Year Award

DUBAI, UAE, October 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Jumeirah Brand Ambassador Rory McIlroy has won GQ Magazine's Sportsman of the Year award.

The award follows McIlroy's success at the US Open in June, a tournament which he completed with a record of 16 under par, besting the rest of the field by eight shots and becoming the tournament's youngest winner since 1923. He was also the first man since Tiger Woods in 2000 to lead the competition from start to finish.

Jumeirah Group spotted Rory McIlroy golf superstar at an early age and have sponsored him from the moment he first turned professional in 2007. The luxury hotels group's connection with Rory McIlory first came about in his hometown of Holywood in Northern Ireland, which is also home to Jumeirah Group's chief financial officer Alaister Murray.

It was then that Rory McIlroy sponsor Jumeirah, spotted his talent and decided to invest in the young golfer's career. Jumeirah has closely followed McIlory's burgeoning career with a passion ever since.

Rory Mcllory has been sponsored by Jumeirah since 2007. He has since extended his contract with the luxury hotel chain in 2010 for a further three years.

Thatcher Browne, Vice President of Brand Strategy and Management, Jumeirah Group said: "Jumeirah Group is immensely proud of Rory McIlroy. His sportsmanship, his determination and grace on the course, as well as his bold spirit, make him a superb role model and brand ambassador for Jumeirah.  Congratulations to Rory for winning the GQ Sportsman of the Year award and to the many contenders whose character and contributions are greatly valued."

The GQ Men of the Year awards, at London's Royal Opera House, was also attended by actresses Charlize Theron and Emma Watson, Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, singer Kylie Minogue and Britain's Got Talent judge Michael McIntyre.

About Jumeirah Group:

Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts, including Dubai hotels. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah luxury hotels in Dubai; the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes luxury hotels in in London; Jumeirah Frankfurt in Germany, Jumeirah Essex House in New York; Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai and Jumeirah Dhevanafushi in the Maldives. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

PR Contact:
Jumeirah Group Corporate Communications
Director of Corporate Communications
PO Box 73137
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
+971-4-373-0164
http://www.jumeirah.com

SOURCE Jumeirah Group