As an All-Maine, All-Yankee Conference, Little All-American, and All-New England selection, Tommy was a two-way guard rarity in platoon era football. He won additional commendations from an opposing force, Bowdoin College coach Adam Walsh. This occurred after the pride of Augusta and his Black Bear teammates had blasted the Bowdoin Polar Bears 34-7, to nail down the 1953 state championship. Walsh who was the Center-Captain of Notre Dame's 1925 national champions went on to say, as he entered the winners locker room to congratulate them, "I want to say that Tommy Golden is the greatest guard I've ever seen in the state of Maine, and I've seen a lot of them."

Golden was a three-year All-State and All-Yankee Conference selection gaining All-New England and Little All-America honors in 1953. En route to Orono, Golden was a five-letterman at Cony High School (Football, basketball, baseball, track and golf). He earned similar honors at Higgins Classical Institute, except in golf.

The exceptionally versatile Golden and championships were synonymous: Higgins state prep football champs, 1952; Maine's state Football Kings, 1953-54; Maine state Individual Collegiate Golf Champion, 1953.

You can also add coaching feats with Winslow High's track team to his prestige. His team was state Class M Track Champions in 1958 and runner-up by a half-point in 1957.

Tom and his wife, Caroline reside in Bridgton.