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.
Doggett (a) Claims Low Amateur Honors Bingaman Finishes as Top PGA Professional
Bullard Native Elliott in the Hunt
TYLER, Texas (July 30) – Matthew Watkins of Rockwall, TX, carded a second round low, 30-32–62, 8-under-par, to take the co-lead of the 55th M&P Group Texas State Open. He shares it with first round leader Chris Korte of Littleton, CO. Watkins rocketed to the top of the leaderboard at the end of his second round after an albatross on the par-5, 6th hole. He hit a 4-iron from 224 yards and holed it. “I hit a big slicing 4-iron in there, and it felt great,” said Watkins. He did not get a chance to watch his albatross go in. “I would have celebrated if I knew. I wish I would have seen it go in. I mean, I was just amazed.” Through two rounds, Watkins is 5-under-par on the 6th hole. He is looking for his first Texas State Open victory. He previously earned Low Amateur honors in 2021 and 2023. Tied with Watkins is Chris Korte, who followed his opening round 62 with a 34-30–64. He started the second round on the back-nine and birdied five of his first seven holes. A birdie on his tenth hole continued the scoring, but things slowed down with a streak of pars and a bogey on the 5th. Korte received the final sponsor exemption into the Championship and has taken advantage of it so far. During the past year, he has successfully Monday qualified into four PGA TOUR events and one Korn Ferry Tour event, most recently teeing it up in the Barracuda Championship. Josh Radcliff of Grapevine, TX, is two strokes behind Watkins and Korte at 12-under-par. He tied for the lowest score of round two with a 30-32–62. “It’s been a few years since I have played, but I love the state open. My in-laws live around here…it is always fun to come out to Tyler and play this event,” said Radcliff. One of many former Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour members in the field, including Watkins, Radcliff reflected on his junior golf career saying, “NTPGA is where I got my start in competitive golf playing the 9-hole events. I shot about 108 in my first 18-hole event with the NTPGA. I had a dream of playing professionally, and the NTPGA Junior Tour was a great place to start.” Watkins, Korte and Radcliff will tee off at 9:50 a.m. tomorrow in the final group. Blake Elliott of Bullard, TX, is once again in contention. His rounds of 66-67, 7-under-par, have him in a six way tie for ninth place. He will begin his third round at 9:30 a.m. Sulphur Springs native Trevor Norby also made the cut at 3-under-par. He will start at 8:10 a.m. tomorrow on the 10th hole. Cody Massa (a) of Cave Creek, AZ currently sits in first place on the Low Amateur leaderboard at 7-under-par. Massa, originally from Arlington, TX, attended Tyler Junior College from 2005 to 2007. Massa is no stranger to the Texas State Open competing in 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016, with his highest finish coming at 7th place in 2016. Aside from the Texas State Open, Massa won the Arizona Mid-Am Championship in 2024 and 2025. Massa currently sits in first place on the Low Amateur leaderboard and tied for ninth place overall. Six amateurs made the cut. Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, TX, finished the second round with a 34-33-67, 3-under-par. He is at 7-under-par for the Championship and leads the PGA Professional division into tomorrow’s third round. Bingaman credits his low rounds to his new, lighthearted take on his game. “I have been playing really well lately. These past couple of weeks I have really just been trying to have more fun with it, and I think that has reflected really well in the past few days,” said Bingaman. Five PGA of America Golf Professionals made the cut. Four from the Northern Texas Section and one from the Southern Texas Section. Kyle Pritchard leads the three past champions that survived the cut. He sits at 8-under-par. Mikel Martinson (a) and Shawn Stefani also advanced to the final two rounds. The 55th M&P Group Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play event with a field of 156 professionals and amateurs. The 36-hole cut was made to the low 55 players and ties. Sixty-one players made the cut at 1-under-par and are competing for a $201,000 Championship purse. The third round will begin at 8:00 a.m. and players will begin on the first and tenth holes and play in threesomes. This is the M&P Group’s third year as the title sponsor and the Championship is presented by Joyce Crane and supported by CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center, Jucys and Patterson Tyler. Cascades Country Club Par: 35-35–70 Yardage: 6,882 yards View current results HERE .
Romo Cards 1-under-par in Opening Round