The Sun, Three Crosses and Saint John…
The Sun Pavilion – our multifunctional clubhouse – serves as an integral part of St. John Golf Park at Slapy. The building provides facilities both for golfers and for tourists and other visitors. The reception desk and restaurant are located in the central part of the Pavilion near the entrance and pass into the premises of an exhibition gallery that has also been named after the martyr St. John – St. John Gallery. This entire area is bathed in sunlight penetrating through the glass window in the ceiling, embellished with long split bamboo poles.
During the ceremonial opening, the Pavilion exhibited large-format landscape photographs taken by Ivan Anderle during his numerous trips to Scotland. In addition, the gallery also displayed pictures and paintings of female nudes, as well as drawings and designs of exotic buildings and interiors created by the building’s architect – J.G. Gebert. Moreover, Pavla Charvátová, the author of the entire project of the gallery (and of the idea of linking the gallery with golf and tourism and thus bringing contemporary Czech art to everyday life and the visitors to the area) also intends to display three-dimensional works of art in the gallery - statues, artistic objects and installations. The expositions of Czech artists and photographers are changed four times a year within the regular exhibition cycle. Larger works made of durable materials decorate the surroundings of the building and complement the colonial style of the structure. Modern art installed in the exterior makes a pleasant contrast to the stone statues imported from India.
In fact, the style of the exterior facings and surfaces, as well as of the entire interior, can trace its origins back to the times of colonial England – the period when the British Kingdom had its colonies spread around numerous exotic parts of the planet. The equipment and fittings are truly original and unique. “For the time being, we were trying to find old authentic objects with their own spirit and history. Nonetheless, some parts of the furniture had to be custom-made to fit in the Sun Pavilion. Architect J.G. Gebert first prepared his concept, which we then described and explained to our partners in Asia and they started to look for suitable pieces of furniture from individual suppliers and vendors, in market places and bazaars. Statues from Indonesia had the farthest to travel, but the route followed by furniture from the Indian Rajasthan also took some time. Masks from Nepal first had to slowly descend from the mountains, where monks carve them by hand in their monasteries,” says Ivan Marusic, co-owner and Executive Director of Sanu Babu spol. s r.o. For over two years Mr. Marusic had been hunting for suitable objects and materials (furniture, textiles, facing materials, as well as small statues, masks, decorative articles and other things) for the Sun Pavilion in India, Nepal and Indonesia and in other countries.
The colonial style and British traditions are an inspiration not only in creating the design, equipment and spirit of the building, but also for the concept pursued by the Slapy golf club. The club chooses its members based on the recommendation of at least two existing members. We are striving to create a society of golfers where the members will also want to meet, talk and spend some time together outside of the course – as is the custom in England and Scotland. Club members can enjoy their own club facilities in the new building, with comfortable armchairs and a small bar, or perhaps a choice of our own digestives and cigars.
In addition to the facilities described above, the Sun Pavilion also encompasses an information centre for tourists and two multimedia rooms for meetings, small conferences, workshops and other events. The building also includes wellness and spa operations, as well as exercise programmes. The restaurant provides a delicious, high-quality menu composed of the best that is available in the cuisines of all the continents. The actual operations and time itself will show what other opportunities the multifunctional building can provide.
The Pavilion’s surroundings include a spacious terrace perfect for sitting outside, while enjoying the aroma of grilled meat and steaks. As a matter of fact, a herd of beautiful “black-and-black” mountain cattle reared for meat can be encountered by every golfer playing the first holes of the back 9hole called Three Crosses. Indeed, one of their ranges is located next to the tenth tee and the eighteenth green. (To make things even more interesting, the sixteenth tee is next to a fallow-deer park.) Beneath the terrace the putting and chipping greens is located. The view from the terrace and the entire glazed part of the restaurant is oriented to the south-east and east – i.e. towards the lake and the surrounding hills of the Hrdlička nature reserve. A panoramic view of the hills opens up before your eyes.
