Variously called the “pint-sized pro”, the “mighty – mite from Elmhurst”, “Joe the pro”, the “debonair Elmhurst pro” or the “dapper little pro from Elmhurst”, there is no doubt that Joe Tachan had a big impact on golf in Manitoba.
Born in 1914 in Springfield, Manitoba, he first picked up a golf club at age 7 and began to golf and caddie at Elmhurst Golf and Country Club in 1931. According to the rules of amateur status in place at that time, Tachan could not compete in amateur golf events because he had accepted money to caddie after the age of 18. But for these rules, it is likely that Tachan’s name would be found in the list of past Manitoba amateur golf champions.
Tachan left Manitoba in 1939 but was persuaded to return in 1943 to work at Elmhurst. The years of the Second World War were difficult times for golf clubs and Tachan and others are credited with guiding Elmhurst through this period. In 1945, Tachan became the golf professional at Elmhurst, a position that he would hold until 1963.
Tachan won three Manitoba Opens – in 1946, 1951 and 1957. He also won the Western Manitoba Open in 1946.
His prominence on the local golf scene resulted in him joining Allan Boes and Harold Eidsvig, both Honoured Members of the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame, in an exhibition match in August, 1947 at Niakwa against four – time British Open Champion Bobby Locke. Alas, Locke prevailed over the best ball of the three Manitoba golfers 2 and 1 before a gallery of approximately 3,000 spectators.
Tachan is credited with developing the games of a number of champion golfers including Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame Honoured members Jim Doyle, Marg Homenuik, Wilf Homenuik and Tachan’s wife, Anne Tachan. Doyle, who won the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in 1968, said after that win that: “Joe Tachan has taught me more about golf than any other guy.”
He passed away on August 4, 1989.
Joe Tachan is an inductee into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum Inc., October 2, 2017.