i-Marbella speaks to Thomas Johansson, a Spanish resident born in Sweden and one of Costa del Sol´s most popular golf professionals. His students vary from European tour players like Carlos Rodiles and Peter Gustafsson to beginners and happy amateur golfers who fly from all over the world just to improve their game.  He is well known for his pedagogic skills and simple approach to this sport that most people makes way too complicated.  Thomas teaches at Magna Marbella Golf Academy.

1. What brought you to the area? Business, lifestyle, family…. I was working in Mallorca but they don´t have many golfers in the winter so I decided to try Marbella where I already had some friends. That was in 1996 and since then Marbella and San Pedro de Alcantara has been my home.

2. What attracts you most about the southern Spanish lifestyle? 

I live in the centre of San Pedro and I love the atmosphere in the small tapas bars and cafes here, especially when there is a football game on. The weather of course makes the life so much more pleasant and it´s great to have so many choices of outdoor sports here.

3. Describe a few ways you spend your time here? Work, recreation, shopping, socialising, friends and family…
As soon as I got a day off in winter I go to Sierra Nevada even if it´s only for a day. Otherwise I spend lot of time with friends and when you live in a place like this you will always get lots of friends coming for visit.

4. Do you have a favourite area or part of the coast?
In summer Tarifa and in winter Sierra Nevada but I have to say that Seville is my favourite city with its culture and nightlife.

5. Do you holiday in other destinations now that you have relocated to a luxury holiday destination? If so, where?
I spend the summers in Sweden with friends and family and I always make sure to get a couple of weeks in the Alps in the winter. I used to work as a ski instructor and I still bring groups to Zermatt or Courchevel and that feels like a holiday because it´s so much fun.

6. Name a few of your favourite restaurants or cafes here.
For lunch I go to Terra Sana, The Small World Café or to a local tapas bar. For dinner my absolute favourite is Evita for their Argentinan steaks and great service. Magna Café is also very good and I can get a taste of Swedish food there.

7. Do you have a favourite special event or celebration which takes place here?
It used to be the Volvo Masters at Valderrama but the way Finca Cortesin hosted the Volvo Match Play will make that event well worth watching every year. The Easter celebrations in Seville and the ferias in San Pedro and Marbella are also great to get a feel of the Spanish culture.

8. Would you prefer:
Beachside lunch or stylish nightclub?  Beachside lunch  
Mountain, beach, coast or the “campo”? Mountain
Puerto Banús or Marbella Old Town? Marbella old town
Action-packed summer season or quieter, more local winter? A quieter and local winter
Traditional Spanish dishes or creative international cuisine? Traditional Spanish dishes