Craig Kessler

Craig Kessler serves as Chief Operating Officer for Topgolf U.S. venues and emerging concepts. As COO, Kessler is responsible for the U.S. venue business P&L, including leading the innovation pipeline for venue growth, revenue programming, menu design, and day-to-day operations for food and beverage, the guest experience, retail and training.

Kessler joined Topgolf in 2016 following a successful career in the global finance industry. At the time Kessler joined Topgolf, the company had 6,000 associates and 14 venues. Since then, Topgolf has grown to more than 60 U.S. venues with more than 20,000 associates. Along the way, Kessler has played a crucial role in shaping the deeply caring and edgy Topgolf culture, inspired by the idea of “creating moments that matter for everyone.”

Kessler began his career with McKinsey & Company before moving into an operating partner role with the private equity firm KKR. Most recently, he worked for Providence Equity Partners in New York, where he provided strategic business counsel to media and education companies.

In 2021, Kessler published a book called The Dad Advice Project: Words of Wisdom From Guys Who Love Being Dads.  The project is a collection of stories and advice from more than 40 dads from all walks of life – including professional athletes, TV personalities, businessmen, civic leaders, military veterans, and other close friends of Kessler.

Kessler is a graduate of Georgetown University and earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. Along with being an avid sports enthusiast, one of his most unique life experiences includes arguing a case on “Judge Judy.” Kessler lives in Dallas, Texas, USA, with his wife, Nicole, and their three sons.