Backyard Concessions at the 3M Open: The Nguyen Family’s Summer Side‑Hustle

When the 3M Open rolled onto No. 2 at TPC Twin Cities this July, the usual sea of golfers and spectators wasn’t the only thing drawing a crowd. Just beyond the fence, the Nguyen family’s backyard had already morphed into a makes‑do‑your‑own‑concession‑stand, complete with a white folding table, a row of coolers and the unmistakable hum of a summer side‑gig.

Temperatures were hovering in the mid‑90s, and within minutes a line of thirsty, sweaty fans formed, clutching scorecards and scrolling through phones for the next tee time. The price tags were what really kept them coming back: a bag of chips for a single dollar, a bottle of water or a soda for two, and a Gatorade for three. Compared with the pricey stalls scattered around the course, it felt like a bargain that even a casual observer could appreciate.

“We live right here, so it’s kind of natural,” said Angelica Nguyen, the oldest sibling, who’s been the unofficial spokesperson for the family operation since it began. The Nguyen clan has called the house on No. 2 home since 2008, and they first tried their hand at selling snacks during the old Champions Tour event, the 3M Championship. When the PGA Tour’s 3M Open started, they simply expanded the same modest setup.

“We were kids back then,” recalled Jayden Nguyen, the middle brother. “We grew up on a porch‑side cash register, handing out sodas while our dad drove us to practice.” Now, the trio—Angelica, Jayden and the youngest, Timothy—are joined by cousins Miranda and William Vu, who hustle alongside them, refilling coolers and greeting customers with a smile.

The logistics have become a family ritual. Their mom darts in and out of the house like a well‑timed pit crew, making sure the coolers never run dry. “Our basement looks like a Costco,” Angelica laughed, gesturing toward the towering stacks of bags, cartons and frozen treats that sit there after a big restock. “We do a massive run a few weeks before the tournament, then a quick top‑up after each round.”

Over the years the menu has crept beyond the basics. What started as water, soda and energy drinks now includes an assortment of chips, candy bars and, most recently, ice‑cream sandwiches—a hit on the sweltering July afternoons. “Those have been crazy popular,” Jayden said, wiping a stray smear of chocolate from his hand. “When the heat is that intense, people love something cold and sweet.”

Financially, the operation is a modest but meaningful boost. The family estimates that a good year can pull in roughly $2,000, and they felt the numbers this year were set to surpass that, largely thanks to the magnetism of world‑class players like Scottie Scheffler, whose presence has swelled attendance to record levels.

“You can definitely feel his presence out there,” Jayden noted, pointing toward the bustling fairway where fans cluster in groups of similar size, all eyeing the same shot. “It’s like the whole crowd is gathered for him, and that means more people walking by our stand.”

By sunset, the line finally dissolved, and the Nguyen family packed away their coolers, already brainstorming what new treat they might add for next summer. For now, though, they can sit back, enjoy a well‑earned soda, and savor the satisfaction of having fed hundreds of golf lovers from their own backyard.