IN PROFILE: The Journey of Des Topp

*Editor Mike Orloff sat down with Des Topp recently to discuss his journey and impact on the NZ Golf and Club Industry. “Thank you for all you have done and for the support you have given me over the years.”

In the world of New Zealand club management, Des Topp is a name synonymous with resilience, evolution, and an unwavering belief in the power of people. Recently honoured with the prestigious Leadership in Golf Award, Topp’s recognition was, by his own admission, an “unexpected personal achievement”, a humble nod to the past 16 years in the golf industry, with the past ten years of steering the Managers Association of New Zealand (Formerly Golf Managers Association NZ) through lean budgets and shifting industry tides. But to understand the leader celebrated today, one must look back at a career that began far from the manicured fairways, rooted instead in the rugged mines of the 1970s and the muddy trenches of championship rugby.

From Gold Mines to Green Fairways

Des Topp’s professional journey began with a precision that would later define his administrative style. In the 1970s, he served as an analytical chemist for a subsidiary of an Australian mining company. It was a role that combined cutting-edge technology with a hunter’s instinct; Topp spent his days analysing samples to unlock significant deposits of gold and mineralisation across New Zealand. From investigating ilmenite deposits near the iconic Punakaiki Rocks to identifying sites that have since blossomed into major mining operations, his early career was dedicated to finding value where others saw only earth.

While his days were spent in the lab, his heart was increasingly found on the sports field. Topp describes himself as an “average player” on the rugby pitch, but his true talent lay in the strategy and orchestration of the game. He transitioned seamlessly into coaching, team management, and administration, eventually coaching championship teams that featured four All Blacks. His commitment to the Auckland Marist Rugby Club became a lifelong passion, leading to roles as President and Chairman, and eventually earning him a Life Membership.

It was this blend of scientific analytical skills and a deep-seated love for community sports that eventually paved the way for his entry into the golf industry.

A New Chapter: The Pakuranga Years

In 2010, the same year he began his long tenure with the Golf Manager’s Association (now CMA NZ), Topp took the helm as General Manager at Pakuranga Golf Club. He spent six years at the club, a period that would prove foundational for his views on modern club management.

During his time at Pakuranga, Topp saw firsthand how a club could transform from a simple sporting venue into a vibrant community hub. He oversaw a period of significant transition, including a land sale that secured the club’s financial future.

Today, the facility holds a comfortable reserve of $13 million and shares its grounds with a retirement village, creating a unique, built-in membership base, with total net assets, including property and plant, valued at $21 million. This experience solidified his belief that a successful club is not just about the game of golf, but about the financial health and the “people-centric” culture that supports it.

Leading Through Change: The GMA/CMA NZ Era

For nearly a decade, Topp has served as the Executive Officer for CMA NZ, a role he has held since July 2016. His leadership has been defined by a “scrappy” determination to elevate the profession of club management despite working with a very small budget.

Topp’s vision for the industry is one of professionalisation. He has been a tireless advocate for BMI (Business Management Institute) education, proudly noting that New Zealand now boasts 21 graduates and another 65 individuals working toward their Certified Club Manager (CCM) exams. For Topp, the shift from the old “Secretary Manager” model to a modern “CEO” role is essential. He believes that a General Manager should not just be a golfer who knows the rules, but a leader capable of managing diverse teams, navigating complex governance, and driving cultural change.

The Human Element in a Tech-Driven Future

Despite his background as a chemist and his forward-thinking views on technology, Topp remains a “people person” at his core. He is a realist about the future, predicting that Artificial Intelligence will be fully integrated into daily club administration within the next two years. Yet, he is quick to point out that technology is a tool to enhance the “product,” not a replacement for the personal engagement that makes a club feel like home.

His primary driver has always been engaging with and helping people, a motivation that has fuelled over 50 years of involvement in sports administration across rugby, cricket, and golf. Whether he is advising on a strategic plan or helping a club navigate the “mess” of modern governance, his goal is to ensure that the staff, the board, and the members are all working toward a shared, positive culture.

A Legacy of Collaboration

As the current Chair of the New Zealand Golf Industry Council (NZGIC), Topp is looking at the “big picture”. He reports that the industry is currently in a very healthy state, with membership growing at 6% to 7% month-on-month and clubs finally generating sustainable profits. This success, he believes, is the result of a hard-won move away from the “detrimental discounting” and price-fighting that plagued the industry in the 2010’s.

Today, Topp is focused on fostering collaboration, encouraging clubs to share resources, machinery, and even administration sites to cut costs and improve efficiency. He is already looking toward the horizon, helping to plan the 2027 Christchurch conference, which will bring together the major players of the NZGIC.

The People’s Person

When asked how he wishes to be remembered, Des Topp doesn’t point to the gold deposits he found or the financial surpluses he helped create. Instead, he speaks of culture. He wants to be known as a leader who advocated for the human side of the business, someone who understood that at the end of the day, a golf club is only as strong as the relationships within it.

From the mines to the Marist rugby grounds, and finally to the heights of New Zealand golf leadership, Des Topp’s career has been a masterclass in adaptation. As he continues to mentor the next generation of managers, his legacy is clear: he isn’t just managing clubs; he is building the communities that will sustain the game for decades to come.

Des Topp: Career at a Glance