Great Tips from Top Instructors Tim Cusick & Shane LeBaron, Plus Reflections From 1979 Bay Hill Invitational Champion Bob Byman & 1977 US Amateur Champion John Fought
In this episode I'm joined by Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor Tim Cusick, 1979 Bay Hill Classic Champion Bob Byman, Cherry Hills Director of Instruction Shane LeBaron, and 1977 US Amateur Champion John Fought.
Tim Cusick is now a member of the Education Faculty of the PGA of America at their new headquarters in Frisco, Texas. Tim updates us on how their new facility and two championship golf courses that will host major championships are coming along. He also shares tips for how to read greens, dial in our distance control from 100 yards in, and fix it your swing if you're struggling with coming over the top.
Bob Byman shares stories from his college golf days at Wake Forest and how Arnold Palmer encouraged him to go there following a practice round they played together at Pebble Beach when Bob qualified to play in the US Open at age 17. We also hear about how he teamed with Curtis Strange and Jay Haas while at Wake Forest to win back-to-back National Championships in 1974 & '75. Things would come full circle with Mr. Palmer when Bob won the 1979 Bay Hill Invitational, which was the first year Mr. Palmer took over as tournament Host.
Shane LeBaron recently became the first Director of Instruction at Cherry Hills Golf Club which has been the site of many major championships. We all remember Arnold Palmer's charge in the final round to win the 1960 US Open there. Its also seen Andy North win a US Open, Phil Mickelson win a US Amateur, and Jack Nicklaus win a US Senior Open. Shane takes us around the course plus shares the best putting tip I've heard in the 8 years of doing this show.
John Fought shares stories from his college days at BYU and their rich golf history. We also hear how he captured the 1977 US Amateur championship, his time being a part of the victorious US Walker Cup team, his 5th place finish in the 1983 PGA Championship plus his golf course design work.