Golfer’s book aimed at businesswomen
With the many hundreds — perhaps even thousands — of books that have been written about golf, it’s hard to imagine saying one is long overdue.
Fareen Samji’s “Smashing the Grass Ceiling,” which came out this past May, however, is just that book.
Samji — whose nickname, Far, is based on her first name and the fact that she’s a multiple Canadian longdrive champion — has written a book aimed at women, more specifically business women.
Personally, I think this book fills a void since I’ve long maintained that women who don’t take up golf are missing the boat. Even if you put aside the family opportunities it provides, there is no better activity than golf to foster business relationships.
“The whole perspective of the book is written for women, especially professional women to encourage, empower and motivate them to use golf as a relationship building tool,” said Samji, a Burlington resident.
Samji sets out in the book to demystify the sport for women. While she offers no instruction on how to play the game, she covers everything related to the sport including how to find a golf instructor.
“Early in the book I explain that the quality of your golf swing is the least most important thing that you need to know,” she says. “What’s more important is how to manage the golf experience with the three other people, how to manage your emotions and make sure you’re having a fun time. It’s an opportunity for you to show your true personality on the golf course.”
Samji covers off golf etiquette in the book as well as how and when it’s appropriate to talk business.
A former mini-tour player, Samji now owns a string of orthotic centres in Burlington, Milton and Toronto so she is coming at the subject from the perspective of a businesswoman and a golfer.
“When you’re on the golf course with clients, everyone is in casual clothing, outdoors in a beautiful setting, and everyone is more relaxed and you can really foster a connection that is hard to do in an office meeting,” she explains.
“I’ve used golf to build my business for the last 15 years. It also gives you an opportunity to get involved in your community and meet people, like city councillors or the mayor or your local MP.”
The book is available at Samji’s website, Farsamji.com, and sells for $20. Ten dollars from each book is going into a program to provide lessons and on-course mentorship for girls 12 to 15 years old.
Whole-in-one: It’s not to late to sign up for the unique RBC Canadian Open 5k run through Glen Abbey Golf Club, Saturday, July 22.
The run will follow cart paths through the golf course that will host the PGA Tour the following week. Anyone who signs up to run also receives a ticket to the golf tournament. For more information, go to golfrun.ca.
Garry McKay is a veteran, award-winning golf journalist and ex-sportswriter with The Spec. Garrymckay1@rogers.com