For more than 30 years, coach Patrick Rhéaume enjoyed a fulfilling life in the world of golf. That happiness was taken away from him last November when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but far from letting it get him down, he is giving back to young golfers thanks to a charity tournament organized in his honor at the Royal Quebec .
The emotions were palpable in the Boischatel Club when the journal was passed. Of the 300 golfers registered, more than 140 were former students of Patrick Rhéaume. Many came to greet the man who was their mentor and had been Golf Canada’s regional director for Quebec since 2018.
“I break down! “As a golf coach, you never think that you can reach so many young people,” said the enthusiast, beaming despite his illness.
A whole dose of love!
Patrick Rhéaume is proud to be able to give back to young people thanks to the fund that bears his name. Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
Every year Golf Québec holds its charity tournament. The event was held for the 16th time and this time raised money for the Patrick Rhéaume Fund. For the former coach, it is a way to leave a legacy for golf’s youth, particularly through the opportunity to provide scholarships to golfers at the regional, provincial and national levels.
Patrick Rhéaume, who expected the amounts raised to reach almost $100,000, could hardly believe how all the golfers in Quebec had rallied around him.
Even if only for a single day at the Royal Québec, this enormous outpouring of support allowed him to firmly deny the illness.
“There are so many people here, it’s sick! Phew…” he blurted out with wet eyes and a soulful voice.
“It comes from everywhere. Montreal, Rimouski, Toronto, New Brunswick… I’m really impressed. My heart is not big enough to take all this love,” he added with a hint of a smile.
A hard blow for the family
Patrick Rhéaume wanted to pose with his friend Fred Colgan, who was heavily involved in organizing the tournament. Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
As early as June last year, Patrick Rhéaume knew that something was wrong with his health. The verdict was finally reached on November 10th. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, causes atrophy of voluntary muscles and affects about 1,000 people in Canada each year.
Life expectancy for 80% of those affected is only two to five years. The father of two children, ages 16 and 17, has lost strength and dexterity in his hands in recent weeks but continues to persevere.
“Since I got sick, I’ve fallen like a tree hundreds of times, but I haven’t missed a single tournament meet,” he said proudly.
“Health takes one day at a time. In golf I just try to accept that I get all this love, but when you become a coach you don’t do it for the recognition. We do it out of passion. This is my way of continuing to give back to golf. I probably won’t be here in a few years, but the gang will carry on and the young people will benefit from the help.
The man who has already developed as a player on the Canadian Tour decided a long time ago to give something back to the young people. It was his turn at the Royal Québec.