We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Abby Swenson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Abby, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The idea for Northern Greens Golf Collective came to me after realizing a significant gap in the golfing community for women in Minnesota—there was no single, centralized resource that showcased all the golf opportunities for women. I’d often find myself spending way too much time on Google, searching for leagues, lessons, and clinics. After talking to many women at networking events and other golf clubs I was part of, it became clear that I wasn’t the only one struggling with this. Many shared my frustration, and that’s when the spark for Northern Greens ignited.
The journey wasn’t without challenges. My biggest hurdle at first was finding the perfect name—something that resonated with the community I wanted to build. I didn’t want it to be a typical “Minnesota Ladies Golf Club” or “Gals on the Green.” I wanted something that reflected the unique bond of friendship and networking I experienced through golf. Two of my favorite courses, Deacon’s Lodge at Breezy Point and Superior National at Lutsen, are located up north, which inspired me to name it “Northern Greens Golf Collective.” The word “Collective” really spoke to the camaraderie and community spirit I envisioned.
When I initially launched, I thought I’d start small—just a few weekend events a year. I planned a trip to Breezy Point, figuring it would be a good test run. To my surprise, it sold out almost immediately. The same thing happened with my Lutsen trip. That was when I knew I had tapped into something bigger than I had expected. From there, I began organizing weekly 9-hole outings at executive or par-3 courses. My goal was to create a welcoming space for golfers of all levels—not too intimidating for beginners, but still valuable for seasoned players looking to sharpen their short game.
What really excites me, and what has kept me going, is seeing the impact Northern Greens has had on the women who join. Almost every outing brings in someone new, and many have expressed how grateful they are to have found a group like this. Some had no one to golf with, or only played with family or their significant other. Watching these women gain confidence, make new friends, and fall in love with the game has been incredibly rewarding. I knew this would work because I wasn’t just solving a logistical problem—I was creating a community.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My journey into this industry began over 10 years ago when my dad and I founded Great Places Minnesota. Our initial goal was to help local Minnesota businesses gain exposure through advertising. As we evolved, our focus shifted toward promoting lake resorts and golf courses, a niche that allowed us to connect with the rich recreational culture in Minnesota. Over the years, I noticed the incredible women-focused events some of these golf courses were hosting, and I made it a point to support them whenever possible. It was during this time that I saw a larger opportunity—Northern Greens Golf Collective was born from this realization.
Both my dad and I have strong backgrounds in sales and marketing, so developing plans for both Great Places and Northern Greens felt natural. I’ve always been passionate about community involvement, whether through volunteering or networking, and this has played a key role in expanding both endeavors. I’m proud that my network spans both my previous career in technology and new areas of interest. Through Northern Greens, I’ve been able to build connections that go far beyond any single industry, bringing together people from diverse walks of life, united by their love of golf.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the outreach I’ve received on social media. A local women’s group from a company recently reached out, asking if I could help plan a golf outing for them. Organizing this event was an exciting challenge that allowed me to flex my event-planning skills and create a meaningful experience for their team. It felt incredibly rewarding to see the impact Northern Greens can have, not just on individual golfers, but on entire organizations.
At the heart of both Great Places Minnesota and Northern Greens is the desire to connect people with experiences that bring them joy—whether that’s discovering a new lake resort or finding a welcoming community to play golf with. What sets us apart is that our passion comes from firsthand experience. I know what it’s like to search endlessly for the right golf events or community, and I’ve built Northern Greens to fill that gap. I believe that what we offer has the potential to enrich people’s lives, and that’s what drives me every day.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building my audience on social media came from leveraging the network I already had and strategically reaching out to new connections. I started by inviting my friends, who I’d already established strong relationships with, to follow my page. Their support was immediate—they shared my content and helped spread the word. I also engaged in Facebook groups focused on golf and women’s communities, sharing my page and what Northern Greens Golf Collective had to offer.
Another key step was utilizing the platform I had with Great Places Minnesota. I cross-posted content on those pages, which had a pre-existing audience that aligned with the interests of Northern Greens. On Instagram, I took a hands-on approach, searching for local golf courses and checking out tagged photos to find and engage with women who were already golfing. I followed them, liked their posts, and built relationships by commenting and starting conversations. This grassroots strategy extended to collaborating with local women’s groups, which led to partnerships and events that brought more visibility to Northern Greens.
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve grown this audience organically, without using any sponsored ads. In just six months, I’ve gained over 660 followers, and it all came down to being consistent and authentic in my posts.
For anyone starting out on social media, my advice is simple: consistency is key. Post regularly, engage with your audience, and be genuine. Don’t just focus on numbers—focus on building relationships. People want to connect with a real person behind the brand. Also, take the time to find communities where your target audience is already active, and get involved in those spaces.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
What’s helped me build my reputation within the market is my active presence and genuine approach. I make it a priority to attend nearly every event, and I go out of my way to engage with new people. Whether it’s a friendly chat before we hit the course or checking in afterward, I want to ensure that everyone feels welcome and valued. During golf outings, I intentionally take the last tee time, which gives me the opportunity to meet everyone and help them kick off their round with ease. It’s little things like this that show people I care.
Beyond the events themselves, I focus on creating a thoughtful experience for participants. I send out detailed pre-event information to make sure everyone is prepared and comfortable, and I always follow up with a heartfelt thank you afterward. I think people appreciate that I’m a real, down-to-earth person with a normal life who is genuinely doing this to help build community—not just for personal gain.
What I believe truly sets me apart is my passion. I care deeply about what I’m doing and the connections I’ve made along the way. I think that authenticity shows in everything I do, and that’s been key to earning trust and building my reputation within the market.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.northerngreensgolfcollective.com
- Instagram: northerngreensgolfmn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/zrMtX9q1QJGSAjjG/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbyrswenson/
