If you’d have asked Eliot Garza five years ago if you’d find himon a golf course, chances are he would have laughed at you. “I grew up playing baseball. Who in their right mind takes up a new sport in their mid–thirties? You learn a sport as a kid and then spend your adult life enjoying it and refining it, not learning something new!” However, throughout his life Garza had always been encouraged to 'stretch’ and improve himself; so choosing to play golf is just an extension of that.
Garza is no stranger to 'stretching’ himself. Almost two years ago he founded NSIDE Publications, with its two publications, the Business Journal and NSIDE MD, with absolutely no experience as a publisher. They are now two of the most–widely read and successful magazines in San Antonio. As if that were not enough, he also founded N Motion Mobile Billboard in April 2008.
With the founding of the magazine, invitations to different events began pouring in, including invitations to attend golf outings, and sometimes to even partner with someone else to make up a foursome. He realized he was at a huge disadvantage, decided to rectify it, and pronto.
After asking knowledgeable people who had the best driving range and the best instructors, one name kept cropping up, Joe Caruso. “He has an excellent driving range,” Garza says. He has high praise indeed for his personal coach, Brit Gentry. “He is so incredibly patient with everyone. And he doesn’t make me feel awkward for learning how to play as an adult. Here I am being coached alongside kids ranging in age from 4 to 6, and he still makes me feel important.” It helps that Gentry allows Garza to work on the MEGSA, Sean Elliot’s personal machine!
Garza has come to understand a few things since beginning this new sport. “First of all, it is hard! You’re trying to place a tiny ball in a small hole that is often over 400 yards from you, over terrain that isn’t flat, and certainly isn’t forgiving.” But Garza sees how dedicating his efforts to mastering golf techniques have created qualities that are reflected in his business dealings. “I am learning patience, new skills and an understanding that like anything in life, business and developing relationships take time.”
When the old adage, “More deals are made on the golf course than in the boardroom,” was said around Garza he used to disregard it as myth. Now he sees the truth in that statement. He is amazed that what he used to perceive as a huge waste of time has actually become one of his strongest selling tools. “I might be a business owner, but I am, first and foremost, a salesman. When I am out on the links with a client, they are 'mine’ for however long the game takes to play. I could never see the benefit to spending up to eight hours chasing a small white ball around a grassy plot of land, but it totally makes sense to me now.”
He also appreciates that although the game itself is competitive, one is not really competing against the other players, but instead competing against the course. “You want to improve as a player, lengthen your stroke, make better plays, and competing against the course helps.”
Although Garza confides that he thinks the game can be rather stressful, spending a day on the course itself is extremely relaxing. “A good friend of mine, flew me out to Scottsdale. I visited the golf courses and fell in love with the views. That’s when I knew I was missing out,” he says. “The beauty of the golf course alone is enough to remove the stress of working, and makes the day better.”
Another advantage to learning how to play is how it has positively impacted Garza’s relationship with his fiance. “She comes with me and we can spend time together on the greens.” So not only is this good for business, Garza sees how it can be good for personal relationships too.
“The next time I am invited to a golf course to spend a day with fellow business owners, I will be prepared,” Garza chuckles. “Plus, if NSIDE hosts a golf day, at least I will be able to hold my own with the participants. And I owe it all to Joe Caruso and his awesome team.”
