FRANKLIN (CBS 58) – A hometown man will compete on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ on Monday, Oct. 5.

Tom Swirkowski CBS 58

Tom Swirkowski of Franklin says the show has been a family favorite for years which was why he decided to fill out an application about a year ago.

“I watched many years with my grandparents, I watched with my mother,” Swirkowski said. “One day I thought, ‘You know what? I can solve these puzzles at home, why not try in the studio?'’’

Swirkowski said he shot his episode in May and traveled to shoot it in California.

“The entire experience was great, it was surreal, was a lot of fun, just once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Swirkowski said.

Swirkowski has worked at a beverage distribution company for over 25 years. When he’s not working, he spends time in northern Wisconsin at his cottage enjoying the lakes and grilling.

As his family and friends watch the episode air at the Sprecher Brewery on Monday night, he’ll think of those he thought of on set.

“I thought I did absolutely incredible. It was a lot of fun, I absolutely thank the Lord above for the blessings he was able to give me and I felt like my mom and my grandma were both by my side the entire time, which just gave me that much more confidence in that entire process,” Swirkowski said.

Watch Swirkowski on "Wheel of Fortune" at 6:30 p.m. on CBS 58. 

Tom Swirkowski