Tim Cusick, PGA, added to Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers in America List
Taylor Coffelt • April 5, 2019
In March, Golf Magazine released their Top 100 Teachers in America list. For the first time, PGA Director of Instruction at Four Seasons Resort and Club Tim Cusick, was on that list. As a member of the Northern Texas Section for 22 years, Tim has worked tirelessly to improve his knowledge of the game and share that knowledge with his students. Tim was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about this honor.
When did you first being playing golf?
My first memory is hitting a ball around in a park with my dad in Erie, Pa. I believe I was about 4 years old.
Did anyone spark your interest in the game?
I grew up in Rochester, NY. There were two seasons winter and summer. In the winter I played basketball and hockey and the summer was baseball and golf. As I got in to high school I gravitated more toward golf. I worked in the bag room at the course my parents were members at. Working there really fueled my desire in golf.
What/where was your first job in the industry?
I took a year off from college after my sophomore year and took a job at Pinehurst Hotel and Country Club. It was called a golf internship. I worked in a different part of the golf operation every month for nine months. I didn’t even have a car. I walked to work every day, to the grocery store, dinner, everywhere. Best job I ever had!
Did you always know you wanted to teach? If not, why did you choose that path?
Teaching came to me as a result of my time at Pinehurst. Hank Haney, Mike LaBauve and Jack Lumpkin were teaching at Pinehurst. I would sit behind them for hours and watch. I get a thrill every time I help someone get better at golf.
You graduated from the Master Professional program in 2018. What drove you to pursue that certification?
It is the top level you can attain with The PGA of America. I’ve always had a thirst for wanting to be the best. It only seemed natural. It also kept me motivated to improve. First to get my Certification in Teaching and then my Master Professional status.
How does it feel knowing Golf Magazine considers you one of the top teaching professionals in the US?
Humbling. There are so many great golf professionals in the country. It’s nice to be recognized.
What are your thoughts on PGA of America Headquarters moving to Frisco?
It’s going to be one of the biggest things in the golf industry for the next 30 years, and we are going to get a ‘front row’ seat to it all. I can’t wait to see the facilities. It will be ‘cutting edge’ for sure.
Where do you see yourself going next (in the industry)?
One of the by-products of getting my Master Professional status is joining the Adjunct Faculty for Teaching/Coaching for the PGA of America. I get an opportunity to speak to the next generation of PGA Professionals in the 3.0 Business Schools. It feels good to give back when you get the chance.
Who is your biggest golf-inspiration?
All the other great PGA Professionals around the country. I take a little away from all of the ones I’m around. I can’t believe how dedicated they are to their craft.
What is your favorite golf memory?
The first time I ever went to the Masters was 1998. I stayed in a house with Mark O’Meara and Hank Haney. That was the year Mark won. It was a very memorable week.
Where is your favorite place you have played?
Augusta National GC. I got an invite to play there almost 30 years ago and turned it down. I got another invite in 2018 and didn’t let that one go by. Augusta is just a magical place. I get goose bumps every time I walk on the property.
Who are your ideal playing partners?
I play the most golf with my son, Carson. He hits it past me and beats me most of the time, but I enjoy each round we play together. It’s fun to give him the experience of playing new courses around the country. I enjoy playing with friends, especially ones I haven’t seen in a while. I probably play more golf out of town than I do in Dallas.
Do you have any advice for beginning golfers?
It’s a very difficult game but an addictive one. Have patience, find a good PGA Instructor and enjoy the game.
What advice would you give to those trying to become PGA professionals?
Being a golf professional is about serving others, and creating lasting memories for our members and customers each time they come to our facilities. When you understand that, the rest is easy.
DALLAS, Texas (November 3) — After two hard-fought days, the 10th Levy Cup Matches have concluded, and Team NTPGA has secured the victory in dominant fashion with a final score of 16 to 8 over Team STPGA. The Levy Cup is a Ryder Cup-style format tournament featuring teams represented by four Assistant PGA Professionals, four Senior PGA Professionals (any PGA classification, aged 50 and older) and four PGA Members (excluding A-8s and classifications not included in the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches) who qualified by earning points through their respective Section’s Major Championships. The Matches were created in 2017 to celebrate Paul Levy, PGA, who was completing his first year of a two-year term as President of The PGA of America. The 2026 Levy Cup Matches returned to where they first began, Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas. In the first edition of the Matches, Team STPGA was victorious 14-10, but Team NTPGA would not be denied this time. They took a commanding 5-1 lead after Monday morning’s opening Four-Ball Matches and looked to keep rolling heading into the afternoon Foursomes Matches. Team STPGA steadied themselves as the Foursomes Matches finished 3-3, giving Team NTPGA an 8 to 4 lead after day one. With a STPGA win in the 9th Levy Cup Matches, Team NTPGA needed 4.5 points in Singles Matches to win the cup. They came out firing, winning the first three matches and never looked back. Team NTPGA dominated the Singles Matches 8 to 4, leading to the largest margin of victory in the history of the Levy Cup Matches – 16 to 8. “It was awesome watching these guys display great golf from both sides, and you know, Team NTPGA just showed out and played just some amazing golf,” said NTPGA Captain Miguel Aguilar. The record-setting victory in the Levy Cup continues an impressive run for the Northern Texas PGA, following back-to-back record victories in the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches. The streak began in 2024 with a commanding 20–4 victory on home soil, followed by a record-setting 15.5–8.5 victory on the road last year. The 10th Levy Cup Matches were supported by Club Car, Harlestons, Mizzen and Main, and Ping.
On behalf of each NTPGA Chapter Awards Committee, East Texas, Metro Texas and West Texas, we are pleased to announce the 2026 Northern Texas PGA Chapter Award Winners below. 2026 East Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Tim Lawson, The Pinnacle Golf Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Justin Benson, Eagle's Bluff Country Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Cory Ryan, Crown Colony Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Kendall Earp Motes, Sulphur Springs Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public Doug Myer, Tyler Golf Professional Development Award John Sikes, Eagle's Bluff Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Doug Myer, Tyler Golf Player Development Award John Sikes, Eagle's Bluff Country Club Patriot Award Dick Goetz, PGA Life Member Youth Player Development Award Mike Williams, Alpine Target Golf Center 2026 Metro Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Abe Hernandez, Royal Oaks Country Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Shelly Davis, Dallas Athletic Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Gabe Reynolds, Topgolf - Dallas Merchandiser of the Year - Private Brian Schorsten, Colonial Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public Chad Williams, Tierra Verde Golf Club Professional Development Award Deborah Foley, PGA of America Bill Strausbaugh Award Trish Holt, Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco Player Development Award Michelle Edgar, The Clubs of Prestonwood - The Hills Patriot Award Bob Nied, The Courses at Watters Creek Youth Player Development Award Garrett Anderson, Golf Clubs at The Tribute 2026 West Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Jimmy Tidwell, Abilene Country Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Dru Hein, Midland Country Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Brandon Veld, Red Feather Golf & Social Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Matt Lawson, Lubbock Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public Casey Renner, Palo Duro Creek Golf Course Professional Development Award Brian Nagy, Abilene Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Jake McCullough, Odessa Country Club Player Development Award Thomas Martin, Green Tree Country Club Patriot Award George Priolo, Ross Rogers Golf Complex Youth Player Development Award Ryan Osgood, Odessa Country Club Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients.
Friend and McCorkle Headed to Lajitas Golf Resort for Duel in the Desert