Page 70 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 2 | December 2023 - January 2024

s is typical with most businessmen, my dad adored golf, which he believed was
considered ‘the gentleman’s (or gentlewoman’s) game’ for a reason. He loved No matter the size
its elegance, but most of all, he loved the unique way it allows you to socialise
and have a discussion even mid-game; rare for most sports. While he taught
me enough to recognise my putters from my five irons, I especially enjoyed of your business,
the thrill of a driving range and being able to hit a hundred balls in a row
and watch them soar above the field while you enjoyed refreshments with you should
friends. The first time I stepped foot into Topgolf Megacity, the first one
of its kind in Asia, it felt like all my childhood memories of the laughter never lose your
and fun I’ve had in driving ranges, wrapped into a beautiful, high-tech package.
Within minutes of signing into our personal bay, peals of laughter were emerging entrepreneurial
from our booth, despite most of us being golf amateurs. This, I learned later, was
exactly what Topgolf aims for.
approach, and you
“Topgolf’s ‘Play, Food, Fun’ formula is for everyone,” Tim Boda, the Managing
Director of Topgolf Thailand tells me as we sat down to talk about what has should stay nimble,
made the venue such a popular destination for both locals and tourists since its
opening last year, and how it’s since established itself as a leading entertainment
and leisure business in Bangkok. “It’s a magical formula that ensures everyone especially in this
has a good time, and is why it’s such a recognised and successful brand, especially
in the US where it began. If you’re a professional golfer, you can find the latest, fast-changing world.
state-of-the-art driving range here; if you’re a novice or you’ve never played golf
before, you can still come here and enjoy, even if you miss your shots. In fact, the
more misses, the more we celebrate!” he says with a laugh.

When I ask him if their clientele consists of more golf professionals or amateur
players, he emphasises that no knowledge of golf is necessary, just the players’ desire
to enjoy themselves. “Our formula allows professionals and novices not only to
have a good time separately, but together. Typical for any new market of Topgolf,
when we first opened, the first to discover us were the golfers – it’s in the name,
after all. However, one of our big success
stories is the fact that on top of how much
our golfers love us, now that non-golfers
have discovered what we offer, they’ve
flocked in and our clientele now consists
of 75 percent non-golfers. And within
this 75 percent of non-golfers, almost
40 percent are returning guests. In this
industry, those kind of percentages are
considered huge successes.”

Having been in the hospitality industry
for all his professional life, Tim Boda tells
me how he jumped on the opportunity
to work with Topgolf, and be with
the team that was the first to bring it
to Asia. “I came to Bangkok around
23 years ago, as a hotel management
trainee what feels like 100 years ago,”
he recalls with a chuckle. “When this
opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t
say no. Topgolf is a highly successful
international franchise with hundreds
of venues in the US, and being the first
to bring such a strong brand to Asia,
localise it with our market understanding, and build its base in a way that allows Tim Boda, the Managing Director
it to expand across Southeast Asia, is pretty special,” he says with justifiable pride. of Topgolf Thailand on how

Having been a general manager across three continents, spending 15 years with Topgolf’s unique culture and
Bill Heinecke and Minor International,Tim brought to bear his vast expertise concept puts them at the
in ensuring that this venue would stand the test of time as an entertainment giant, forefront of the entertainment
even with the array of options that the modern Bangkokian has at their fingertips. industry.
Bringing dedication, passion, and a drive to succeed to the table, Tim spoke to
Masala further about what sets Topgolf Megacity, and their team, apart. B Y AIDEN JE WELLE GONZ ALE S

70 | MASALA MAGAZINE DEC 2023-JAN 2024