GOLF
SIMPLY MALLORCA GOLF | ANGELA SARA WEST
F
rom air steward to golf consultant, this London-born Brit quit his high-flying job with British Airways to realize his dream of living on the luxury island of Mallorca. With championship golf courses a-go-go, this stunning Spanish hotspot also boasts action sports aplenty, along with glamourous spas and wellbeing retreats, wine tasting apps, and designer shops for non-playing partners, too.
visited in 1976 with my parents,” he tells me. “I made friends here and it’s always had a bit of a draw.” So much so that Mark quit the rat race in May 2004 to make a permanent move here, taking on the role of team manager with Thomson Holidays.
Angela Sara West chats with Mark Showler about his life and award-winning golf business venture on this idyllic isle, how to up your game, high-end hotels to rest your head after around, and finds out where you can find a famous face or two on the fairway!
In February 2005, inspiration intervened and he and a friend decided to set up Mark’s own golfing holiday business, Simply Mallorca Golf, arranging bespoke packages for British golf fans.
Mark tees off, watching his ball soar down the impeccable fairway at stunning Club de Golf Alcanada. With the enticing Mediterranean sea sparkling through fragrant olive and pine trees, this is his favorite course to play. Although he loved his job as Customer Services Manager at British Airways, he’s now undeniably in his element here in Mallorca, having established a thriving business offering value-for-money, tailor-made golf packages on this accessible island, which has become an important landmark on the golf tourism circuit. As cabin crew on long-haul, Mark visited fabulous places worldwide. But Mallorca is the place that has always held a special place in his heart... “I first 38 | UPSCALE LIVING MAGAZINE | JUNE 2020
SIMPLY MALLORCA GOLF
Given his love of the game, coupled with his background in travel and customer service, it was a natural business choice. Mark says Mallorca and golf made the ideal match. “I absolutely adore Mallorca and have been interested in golf since taking lessons as a teenager. I love its outdoor appeal and wanted to promote the high-quality courses here, providing great holidays, too!” Since its inauguration, Simply Mallorca Golf has gone from strength-to-strength, regularly selling over 10,000 rounds of golf per year and outperforming other golf agents at many of the island’s courses. The company won the prestigious accolade of ‘Top Selling Golf Tour Operator’ at Mallorca’s largest golf resort in 2018, and Mark is proud to have played an important part in making Mallorca
