Member Spotlight presented by the Titleist and FootJoy Training Academy: Jean-Hubert Trahan

By: Elise Paiement

With top-of-the-line facilities, well-manicured courses and a rich golf history, Québec boasts several of Canada’s most renowned clubs. Jean-Hubert Trahan has spent time at two during his professional journey: Royal Québec and Laval-sur-le-Lac.

Trahan was introduced to golf with a set of junior Titleist T-Rex clubs. “I still have them to this day, and even though I was inevitably growing up, I didn't want to get rid of that set, especially the putter.”

From a young age, Titleist had him hooked. His knowledge and appreciation of the product solidified over time, forging strong bonds with the Quebec Titleist representatives. He even traveled from club-to-club at one point in his career as a technical representative for the company leading demo days, thanks to the immense level of education Titleist offers both through Titleist University and the PGA of Canada Training Academy presented by Titleist and FootJoy.

After years of competing against top Canadian junior and amateur players, he took his golf career to the next level, playing NCAA golf at the University of Toledo while earning a master’s degree in administration. 

Thinking back on the key individuals who nurtured his dreams as a young golfer, Trahan thinks about the PGA of Canada professionals who gave him advice.

“As an amateur and junior player, I benefited from the teaching of pros who themselves made their own way. I had the advantage of being well looked after from an early age thanks to them,” said Trahan. “Roger Lauzon was my mentor, and I still consult him to this day. There was also Mike Muise at Le Boisé, who gave me my first golf advice about my grip. I still remember how impressed I was that he approached me. Lastly, Marc Farand and Fred Colgan. Fred has an incredible junior academy also available for all levels and all golfers.”

Motivated to turn professional, he joined the PGA of Canada in 2013. Little did he know when he began his career as an Apprentice Professional at Laval-sur-le Lac that he would be hired as the club’s Director of Golf 11-years later.

In 2017, his girlfriend, who is now his wife, Anne-Catherine Tanguay, was playing on the LPGA Tour. They met through AGFC golf academy camps at age 14 in North Carolina and through provincial golf competitions and provincial teams. They’ve always been good friends, and after 6 years together they got married in 2019.

Wanting to do everything he could to support her career, Trahan decided to devote 100% of his time to her, taking on the role of her manager and caddie. Eventually, they stopped traveling and competing at the end of 2019 to build their family. During Covid in 2021, 6 months after the birth of their daughter, they went back on the road training and competing, which they did for six months before realizing the stress of competing wasn't the kind of life he and his wife wanted with their children.

“Although I loved my caddy experience - it's a very close relationship you develop with the athlete - I couldn't see myself starting with another player. It's important to have a good connection with the player, and I couldn't have asked for a better match than Anne-Catherine,” said Trahan when asked if he would caddy again on Tour. “I'd rather share my passion with several members during a season than with only one player on the circuit and travel so much and be away from the family.”

 Reinstating with the PGA of Canada in 2022, Trahan became Director of Golf at Royal Québec. The following year, he won the PGA of Québec Apprentice Professional of the Year award. Last November, he earned his Class ‘A’ status.

And then, when the Director of Golf position opened at Laval-sur-le-Lac last year, he knew where he belonged.

Needless to say, the opportunity suited Jean-Hubert perfectly.

“I'd been (here) before; I really like the place and it’s very golf oriented. The competitive aspect, the golf academy and the junior program are very important,” says Trahan. “I really appreciate having a team of nine pros. We meet every two weeks to talk about golf operations and member services.”

His favorite Titleist club of all time (other than his T-Rex putter) was a rusty Vokey Gap Wedge.

“I had fallen in love with this club, and (I’m so glad they) put these rusty clubs back on the market,” says Trahan.

He swears by his SM10 with the raw finish because it reminds him of how he would spend countless hours around the green practicing with a similar wedge.  

Last season, Trahan regained a taste for competitive golf, finishing second at the Trophée Ernie Findlay, a PGA of Québec event. “I played a lot until I was 23, and then I fulfilled my competitive passion by carrying Anne-Catherine's bag. Now, playing with the members is part of my job and I don't take participation in a few events a year out of the equation,” says Trahan.

Who knows, maybe he'll be playing in the PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada in future years, under the watchful eye of wife Anne-Catherine and their children. Life takes its course.