We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Noly Tengonciang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Noly, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

A while back, I was out on the golf course with a couple of buddies. After we finished our round, we decided to grab some drinks at a local bar to unwind. As we were chatting and enjoying our drinks, one of my friends mentioned that he really only wanted to play with this particular group of friends in the future.

He explained that when you get paired up with random players on the course, it can be a total mixed bag. Sometimes you meet great people, but other times, you end up with someone who’s a bit judgmental or just not very social. And let’s be real—golf can be challenging enough without the added pressure of an uncomfortable playing partner, especially for those of us who aren’t exactly scratch golfers.

That’s when the lightbulb went off! We all agreed that the vibe on the golf course should feel just like what we were experiencing at that moment—relaxed, fun, and friendly, like a happy hour with friends. It made perfect sense!

So, we decided to name our club “Happy Hour Golf Club” to capture that spirit. It’s all about creating a laid-back environment where everyone can enjoy the game without any pressure. And honestly, it’s been a blast ever since!

Noly, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Happy Hour Golf Club (HHGC) was born from a serendipitous suggestion among friends who shared a passion for golf. What began as a casual idea to form an SCGA Golf Club has blossomed into a thriving community, with our membership more than tripling in just one year.

At HHGC, we pride ourselves on creating a welcoming environment for golfers of all skill levels. Our club is built on the principles of fun, inclusivity, and camaraderie, offering a stress-free and judgment-free space where everyone can enjoy the game without intimidation.

We’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover that our approach resonates with many like-minded groups in San Diego. As our reputation grows, we’re increasingly recognized for our contribution to the local golf scene. We’ve successfully organized events in collaboration with other clubs, further strengthening our ties within the golfing community.

What sets us apart is our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging among our members. We’re immensely proud of the vibrant community we’re building within HHGC and our growing role in San Diego’s broader golf landscape. Our goal is to continue providing a much-needed space for golfers to connect, improve, and most importantly, have fun.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

For us, it’s largely been word-of-mouth. Yes, people have found us online via our website or social media, but the vast majority of our membership has been referrals from existing members. I think that just stems from creating an environment that, as far as we are aware, is unlike any other golf club out there.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I think like most people we struggled to find our feel or vibe in the beginning. And, to be fair, that’s still an ongoing process. However, over time, we started to figure out who we were as a collective group. And once we figured that out it made it easier to put out content that showcased, not only who we were but also, why people should join us. Initially, I think like everyone else, we tried very hard to please the algorithm. But thanks to some more experienced content creators, I learned that if you just create the content you want to create, the audience you’re looking for will find you. And instead of having a bunch of followers who aren’t genuinely interested in you, you’ll have a community of invested, interactive people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://happyhourgolfclub.com
• Instagram: @happyhourgolfclub

Image Credits

Photo of me: JC Resorts
All other photos: Hailey Nagma