Craig Kessler

The former COO of Topgolf and the PGA of America has a brand-new gig: leading the way for the LPGA, where, he'll be the first to tell you, the stars are already aligned

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Up Close with Dylan Dethier

ON THE PHONE, DAYS AFTER KESSLER WAS NAMED THE LPGA'S NEW COMMISSIONER

Dylan Dethier: What’s your golf origin story? Are you a lifelong golf guy?

Craig Kessler: I would absolutely call myself a lifelong golf guy. I started playing as a young kid at Rancho Carlsbad [near San Diego]. It was an executive golf course we called the cow pasture because there wasn't a blade of grass on it. But I’ve been playing ever since. Professionally, after six years at Topgolf, I [went] to the PGA of America for two and a half years. Candidly, I don’t see myself ever leaving the >> game if given the choice.

DD: You've said that at Topgolf a lot of your focus was on food and bev and entertainment but also on disruption. What big-picture lessons will you take from that work into your new role?

CK: The biggest lesson learned at Topgolf was when we developed our purpose statement: Create moments that matter for everyone. The idea was, whether you're a bay host, a cook or the CEO, your job is to do more than sell burgers, beer and a game of golf. Your job, when you put on your name tag every day, is to create moments that matter.

DD: Do you view the LPGA as going in the right direction, or is it, like, Hang on, we need to make significant changes?