David McKillips Named CEO of Topgolf International
Photo: Courtesy of Topgolf International, Inc.
(eap) The sport entertainment company Topgolf International has announced the appointment of David McKillips (photo) as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Effective Monday, 23 February, McKillips will be responsible for the company’s strategic direction and growth. Topgolf’s portfolio already comprises more than 100 venues worldwide.
McKillips has nearly 30 years of experience in the family entertainment, media and theme park industries. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of the US company CEC Entertainment, where he led the company to stabilization following the Covid-19 pandemic and through a phase of sustained growth. He has been succeeded there by Scott Drake, who had served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer since 2024. Prior to CEC Entertainment, McKillips held several leadership positions at Six Flags Entertainment in the areas of operations, food and beverage, retail, games and procurement.
“Topgolf is a brand I’ve long admired; one that brings people together through unforgettable shared experiences no matter their level of interest in the game of golf,” explains McKillips. “I’m honored to lead such a talented team that has and continues to expand the Player experience through unrivaled hospitality and innovative sports technology.”
Topgolf is regarded as a pioneer of the so-called “sportainment” concept: In multi-level venues, guests hit golf balls from covered hitting bays at digitally tracked targets. Golf with an entertainment factor, food and beverage offerings as well as event formats combine sporting activity with leisure and nightlife experiences, appealing both to golfers and to a broad audience without prior experience.
Topgolf’s sportainment concept, which has been established in the USA for years, was brought to continental Europe in recent years by its partner and licensee greenreb (responsible for Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland). The starting point was the opening of the first venue on the European mainland at Centro Oberhausen in 2022. A second location followed last year in Austria’s capital Vienna. Further venues are already in development. ■
