Championing Gowran

Well-known Athlone native Edward Scally says he's a horse racing fan. The former hotel manager began this week with a lot more horse racing than usual however. On Monday last, July 30, Edward took over as manager of Kilkenny's Gowran Park racecourse and golf club. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent just 15 minutes into his first day at his new job he said travelling to the Galway Races was one of the things on his "to do" list for the day. Thirty-two year old Edward is originally from Kilmacoo Lane on the Dublin Road in Athlone, just opposite Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT). Edward is the only son of Edward and Margaret Scally. His father - Edward Senior - would himself be well known around Athlone as he worked as a sales rep in the town for many years. Edward also has four sisters - one young and three older than him. Two of those sisters live in Wexford and Galway respectively, while another works locally in the Sheraton in Athlone and another in Elan. Edward graduated from the Marist College in 1997 before going on to study accountancy in AIT in 1998. It was here he met his now wife - Bríd from Connemara. Incidentally Bríd studied hotel management in AIT, the sector Edward has since moved into. Upon graduating from AIT in 2001 Edward left Athlone for Germany for a few years, where he first became involved with the hospitality sector. Upon returning to Ireland, Edward took up a job as manager in Treacy's Hotel in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford before later moving to the Carlton Hotel Group. For the past six years he has worked with that hotel group, most recently as general manager at the Carlton Mill Race Hotel in Bunclody, Co Wexford. A big step in Edward's career came in 2008, when the Carlton Hotel Group sent him to study strategic management at an Ivy League university in the United States of America. Studying at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York State Edward says he looked at strategic management in industries including hotels and golf clubs. The studies helped him work by looking at a bigger picture, rather than as he says "being constantly operational". "It takes you to another point of view," he says. This week's appointment as general manager at the Gowran Park Golf Club and Grade 1 Racecourse is all positive for Edward. "I'm completely thrilled," he said. "It's a dream come true." Edward says he's long had an interest in horses thanks to his own father. "From a young age Dad would have brought me racing," he said, adding that an interest in horses is vital in his new environment. The role is definitely one he's ready to tackle however and feels he has the expertise for. "It's still very much the hospitality sector," he pointed out. Gowran Park is the only Grade 1 racecourse in the South East, and one of the best known courses in the country. It holds 16 top quality national hunt and flat meetings all year round, including the Thyestes Handicap Chase in January. One of Ireland's most picturesque race courses, Gowran Park provides modern facilities in the heart of Ireland's horseracing country. The racecourse site also has a mature 71 par parkland golf course. Three of the holes are central to the racecourse, while the remaining 15 meander through the 130 acres of mature woodlands and lakes of the Annaly Estate. In his new role Edward will be charged with building on the already high standards offered at Gowran Park to racing fans and golfers alike. It's also hoped that he can grow the venue's wedding and conferencing facilities. Announcing Edward's new role, chair of Gowran Park Joe Connolly said he will help the venue become the cream of the crop in the coming years. "Gowran Park Golf Club and Racecourse is preparing for the economic recovery and intends to be the venue of choice for racing and golfing fans locally, nationally and indeed internationally," he said. "I believe Edward, with his energy, expertise and vision, is the man for the job and wish him well in the position." For his part Edward officially embraced his new position too. "I am very excited to be coming to Gowran Park and to help build on what is already a great offering for racing and golf fans," he said in a statement released this week regarding the new appointment. "I look forward to working with the board and the entire team to position Gowran Park as the premier racing and golfing venue in Ireland, and to marketing it as an ideal venue for conferences. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and I believe the outlook for Gowran Park is very bright." What is Gowran Park's gain is not necessarily Athlone's loss however, but may be Wexford's. Edward and his wife Bríd currently live in Wexford with their daughter and two sons, but a move to Paulstown in Co Kilkenny might be on the cards in the future according to Edward in order to cut down on his current 45 minute commute to his new job. Athlone still remains a strong part of Edward's life however, particularly when Garrycastle GAA is doing well! He usually tries to fit in a visit home at least once a month, but with the entire Scally family being big Garrycastle fans this year he has seen a lot more of Athlone even than usual. Though now Edward's association with Garrycastle is just as a fan, in the past he has played with the club as well as soccer with Willow Park. In fact though his sporting career in Athlone has ended, he's maintained it in Wexford where he's the manager of the Duffry Rovers senior GAA football team. "It's definitely how I get my down time," he said of his demanding hobby. "It's a lovely relief."