A Green Paradise For Any Golfer
STYL
112 ǀ POSITIV 1/2024
it takes. Sometimes people did not know
that the course or the restaurant was not
only meant for club members, etc. Right
from the resort’s opening we were offering
crash courses three times a week, where
an employee would explain the rules and
etiquette of golf, demonstrate how to
correctly hold a club, and supervise while
participants practiced with a bucket of golf
balls at the driving range. Participants then
received a certificate proving they were
apologise with the basics and a new golfer
was born.
Were these courses popular? Are they
popular today?
A total of around 6 000 golfers have
taken the course to date. I believe that
without this opportunity, these people
never would have even given golf a shot
for the reasons I discussed earlier. Many
of these people now play golf at a pretty
decent level.
You also focus on children interested in
golf, is that correct?
We devote a large effort to teaching local
primary school children from Karviná how
to play golf, as they are shuttled to our
resort on school trips by buses. We host
events devoted to various foundations as
well as suburban children’s camps and
thelike. At the end of the day, however, it
is a long-term endeavor, as children also
need the support of their parents. We
hope that if children gain at least some
sort of basic experience with golf, they
might consider playing it in the future.
What are you most proud of in the history
of the resort?
Picking just a single thing is difficult, however,
I would say that watching junior golfers that
started their careers with the sport with
us, for example at one of our camps, grow
into experienced players that participate
in tournaments across the country, is
something that will never get old.
Could you tell us a little bit about
the achievements your golfers reached?
What about your current group
of juniors? Are there any noteworthy
talents under your wing right now?
There are multiple talented young golfers
at our resort. As an example, I can
mention Matyáš Sliwka, a two-time club
champion, who began his golf career with
us in the early years of the resort as part
of a golf intro course. Further noteworthy
talent includes three-time club champion
Vojta Mazurek, or last year’s winners
Jakub Ryška and Karolína Horáková.
In contrast then, what would you say is
something that went wrong?
From the roughly 7 000 children we
gave basic golf training to, only around
500 of them still play regularly. Simply
said, if the parents do not bring their
children to practice, the child will have no
opportunities to play.
Are there parents that are reluctant, or
simply have no time? Is this something
you are often faced?
I also have children, and I often have to
play the role of their personal cab driver,
so I know somewhat how they feel. Letting
your child sit behind the computer, or with
a phone in their hand is definitely easier.
How would you evaluate the last season,
and what are your plans for this year?
Last year we managed to organise a total
of 51 tournaments and events, ranging
from a Ladies’ Golf Day, through beginner
classes, all the way to public, club and
junior tournaments. This year we would
like to keep up the pace we set last season,
hosting a variety of events so that anyone
can find something that suits their tastes.
What demographic is most represented
at your resort?
We are a suburban golf resort, so most
of our visitors hail from either Ostrava
or Karviná. Sometimes we do get visitors
from further away though, ones that
either like our course, or have heard news
of a great resort in the Karviná area.
Do you get visitors from Poland or
Slovakia as well?
I must say that Polish golfers in particular
seem to be attracted to our resort.
The price to play golf in Poland is very
different to what it is here, moreover, they
do not have nearly as many courses.
How would you rate your own resort?
What type of golfer does it suit best?
I believe that everyone will be able to
find something they like here. We have
a long Championship nine-hole course
(3 671 meters from the black tees),
a fantastic public course, and even
an eighty meter practice chipping green.
In short, there is something for everyone.
Are you planning any new additions to
the course?
Last year we put a lot of work into
improving our bunkers (sand pits), where
about half of them had been infested with
grass. Maintaining the bunkers is costly in
time as well as finances. I would like to take
this time to apologise that the bunkers had
not been in peak condition over the last
year. This year you can look forward to well
prepared courses, pleasant employees,
public and club tournaments as well as
other events.
What about your relationship with golf?
Do you enjoy playing? How long have you
been playing for?
I started playing golf in the UAE and Oman
back in 2001. I continued working at golf
resorts in the USA and later in Čeladná
after my return, and now I operate in
Karviná. I play golf recreationally and I like
to follow the saying: “Bogey golf is good
golf.”
Thank you for the interview, Mr. Malina,
we wish you all the best.
“
Itdenitelywasnoteasy
convincingpeoplethatsimply
showingup,renngaclubfor
40crownsandringacouple
shotsattheDRIVINGRANGEis
reallyallittakes.
”