Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. is reporting that CEO Artie Starrs has resigned from the company’s struggling Topgolf segment. Starrs’ exit means the planned separation of Topgolf into a separate company likely will not occur until 2026.
Starrs, who has been CEO since 2021 and formerly CEO of Pizza Hut, is expected to remain with the company through September 2025 to assist with an orderly transition.
The company confirmed that Starrs has accepted another CEO position with an undisclosed business. The company is conducting an executive search for his replacement.
Last September, Topgolf Callaway Brands announced plans to separate Topgolf and Callaway into two independent companies, with the separation expected to be completed by the second half of 2025.
“We are pleased with Topgolf’s second quarter financial results and improving same venue sales trends, which reflect the significant actions taken this year,” commented Chip Brewer, president and CEO of Topgolf Callaway Brands. “We look forward to providing more details when we report our Q2 earnings next week. We also thank Artie for his leadership and many contributions to Topgolf and wish him well in his new endeavor. Artie’s departure does not affect our strategic direction or commitment to separating Topgolf, and we are still pursuing a spin-off or sale of Topgolf. Given this development, it is likely that a spin-off transaction would not occur until 2026, after a new CEO is in place.”
Image courtesy Topgolf Callaway
