Meet the Member: Tommy O' Brien, PGA
Tommy O'Brien, PGA – Proud Father, Teacher and Motorhead
Tommy O’Brien Jr., PGA, a distinguished member of the PGA of America since December 2003, currently at Black Hawk Country Club as a Teaching Professional. With over 20 years of professional teaching experience, Tommy has garnered recognition for his exceptional coaching abilities, highlighted by his accolade as the STPGA Eastern Chapter Teacher of the Year in 2018.
A native of Houston, Texas, Tommy's passion for golf was ignited during his time at Sam Houston State University, where he played on the University's golf team alongside fellow PGA Members Brandt Kieschnick and Ricky Lyons. His love for teaching began to flourish during these formative years, ultimately shaping his career path.
Tommy's professional journey has been enriched by his mentorship under some of the most esteemed figures in golf. He has had the privilege of learning from World Golf Hall of Famers Hank Haney and Jim Hardy, as well as Golf Digest Top Instructor Stan Utley. In 2005, Jim Hardy connected Tommy with Stan Utley, further enhancing his teaching repertoire. Additionally, in 2009, Jim Murphy introduced Tommy to Mark Sweeney, the creator of AimPoint Golf, a revolutionary green-reading system. Tommy is now a certified instructor for AimPoint Golf, which is utilized by five former world number ones.
Tommy's personal life is as fulfilling as his professional one. He shares a wonderful life with his wife, Catherine, and their five daughters: Emily, Caroline, Abigail, Elizabeth, and Sarah. Notably, his daughter Abigail made history as the first American female to receive a full-ride scholarship to Blinn College. Additionally, four of his daughters have worked or are currently working at Black Hawk Country Club, further cementing the family's deep connection to the sport.
“I am very proud of what my girls have accomplished. The most gratifying thing is to take what you know about the game and pass it on to them and get to see their success” expressed O’Brien. “If I do nothing else in the game, it has been awesome to see the success that they have had as a result of me working with them and their own individual talents.”
Tommy's personal life is as fulfilling as his professional one. He shares a wonderful life with his wife, Catherine, and their five daughters: Emily, Caroline, Abigail, Elizabeth, and Sarah. Notably, his daughter Abigail made history as the first American female to receive a full-ride scholarship to Blinn College. Additionally, four of his daughters have worked or are currently working at Black Hawk Country Club, further cementing the family's deep connection to the sport.
“I am very proud of what my girls have accomplished. The most gratifying thing is to take what you know about the game and pass it on to them and get to success” expressed O’Brien. “If I do nothing else in the game, it has been awesome to see the success that they have had as a result of me working with them and their own individual talents.”
In his free time, Tommy indulges in his passion for classic cars and baseball. He co-founded Four On The Floor Garage with Jason Aker, driven by their shared love for everything Carroll Shelby and Mustang. Having experienced the traditional automotive industry firsthand, Tommy was motivated to create a classic car services company that prides itself on world-class work, truthful practices, and genuine customer service. Additionally, Tommy and his family are huge fans of the Houston Astros and enjoy attending games and supporting his hometown team.
Tommy O’Brien Jr.'s dedication to golf instruction, coupled with his extensive experience and esteemed mentorship, has made him a prominent figure in the golf community. His contributions continue to inspire and shape the future of golf education.
