Topgolf is so much more than golf,” says Johnny McMahon, director of operations at Topgolf Las Vegas, set to open in the coming weeks. “I have friends who call me and say, ‘Why’d you take a job at a driving range?’ and that’s not the case.”
Tour the 105,000-square-foot sports-entertainment destination and it’s easy to see why the Vegas hospitality veteran is so excited about his new home. In addition to its 108 climate-controlled hitting bays, Topgolf’s new flagship location behind MGM Grand boasts five bars, two sparkling pools, a full food menu and even a concert space for live events, all in the shadow of the Strip.
“This is such a great way to grow the game, because what Topgolf does is makes golf approachable,” says McMahon, an avid golfer who signed on after more than two decades in nightlife, including time at the Bank at Bellagio with the Light Group. “I’ve done restaurants, I’ve done lounges, I’ve done pools, I’ve done nightclubs, so I’ve seen all four worlds. The main difference is being outside. It’s a great environment when your office is a massive driving range.”
Topgolf expects to serve more than 1 million visitors throughout 2016, and McMahon is betting many of them won’t be PGA Tour enthusiasts.
“[Topgolf] has something for everyone. We have the ability to hold 3,000 people, but only 700 or 800 can play the game at once,” he says. “That allows the others to find something else to do … The diversity ability is amazing.”