He attended San Jose State University and was a member of the golf team until he graduated in 1984.

Cuff was the 1994 California State Amateur runner-up after defeating Tiger Woods, 2 and 1, in the semifinals.

He won the 1998 California State Amateur, defeating Bobby Rodger, 5 and 4, in the 36-hole final match.

Cuff played in the SCGA's biennial Seaver Cup matches where, in 1998, he was part of the winning team.

[1] Cuff was the 1999 California State Amateur co-medalist with Steve Conway, after they both shot 142 for 36 holes.