Getting to know our Program Director and the expertise he brings to First Tee – Southeast Wisconsin
At First Tee, we believe that character is what you bring to everything you do. It’s what allows you to walk away from failure determined, not defeated. This philosophy comes to life through the dedicated professionals who guide our young people, and there’s no better example than our Program Director, Tom Gerke, PGA.
Tom’s journey in golf began as a caddie at Tripoli Country Club in Milwaukee, where he discovered not just a passion for the game, but a calling to share it with others. From those early days carrying bags, he worked his way through the pro shop while attending UW-Milwaukee, eventually deciding that golf was the industry where he wanted to make his mark.
A Path Built on Excellence and Experience
Tom’s career trajectory reads like a masterclass in golf education. He climbed the ladder from assistant professional to managing entire golf course operations, but his true expertise emerged in academy settings where he led teams of instructors. His role wasn’t just about teaching golf—it was about teaching others how to teach, ensuring consistency, and creating successful learning experiences.
This expertise took him internationally when he worked with LPGA legend Lorena Ochoa in Mexico. Tom wrote comprehensive teaching manuals in both English and Spanish, opened academies across the country, and trained staff at resorts and country clubs. The experience of working at the professional level with Ochoa gave him invaluable insights into how elite athletes think compared to recreational golfers—knowledge he now brings to every First Tee session.
More Than Just Golf Instruction
What sets Tom apart isn’t just his technical knowledge as a PGA Professional—it’s his understanding that great golf instruction must be accessible, fun, and meaningful. His coaching philosophy is refreshingly simple: keep it understandable, make it enjoyable, and help kids interact rather than just listen.
“So much golf instruction is very complicated,” Tom explains. “I want them to understand it, because if they understand it, they’ll do it—not just because Coach Tom says to move their arms a certain way, but because it makes sense to them.”
This approach aligns perfectly with First Tee’s mission. Tom recognizes that the life skills we teach through golf—dealing with frustration, handling disappointment, bouncing back from setbacks—are exactly what make both golf and life easier to navigate.
Real Impact, Real Stories
The true measure of Tom’s success isn’t found in swing mechanics or handicap improvements—though those certainly happen. It’s in the stories of transformation that parents share, seeing differences in their children’s behavior from week one to week nine, year after year.
One story particularly stands out: a young participant who was with First Tee for five years before taking a break from golf. When this student faced challenges in high school, including bullying, his mother’s first instinct was to bring him back to First Tee. She knew the organization and trusted what Tom and the team could provide.
“He had anger issues and couldn’t deal with a lot of stuff,” Tom recalls. “But when he was in a positive environment, he changed and got better. His mom realized that First Tee was a very good option for him to get back on track.”
This is the power of what we do—creating environments where young people feel safe to fail, excited to grow, and better equipped for whatever comes their way next.
A Vision for Southeast Wisconsin
Tom’s background—understanding what it’s like when opportunities aren’t readily available, working in diverse organizations across different locations and with various clientele—gives him a unique understanding of the communities we serve. He knows firsthand how important it is to create accessible pathways for young people, making organizations like First Tee even more crucial.
His goal is ambitious but achievable: to make First Tee — Southeast Wisconsin the region’s best option for junior golf, recognized for the quality of our coaches, the engagement of our participants, and our reputation both locally and within the First Tee national network.
Building Character, One Swing at a Time
Tom’s journey from caddie to Program Director reflects the same character-building principles we teach our participants. He understands that golf is a metaphor for life—full of unexpected challenges where progress requires self-reliance and how you choose to respond defines who you are.
Under Tom’s leadership, our participants aren’t just learning golf; they’re discovering what’s inside themselves and strengthening it. They’re building the inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that will serve them well beyond the golf course.
That’s what makes Tom Gerke more than just a golf instructor—he’s a mentor helping young people write their personal growth stories, one lesson at a time.
Ready to see what First Tee can do for your child? Learn more about our programs and how we’re building game changers throughout Southeast Wisconsin.