Shortly after being born his parents moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where he spent his younger years playing at Harbour Town Golf Links and where he attended Hilton Head Island High School.

He then moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina where he attended and graduated from Paul M. Dorman High School, playing both golf and baseball.

Amateur Public Links in 2000 and represented the United States in the 2001 Walker Cup and the 2002 Eisenhower Trophy.

After turning professional in 2003, Trahan spent 2004 on the Nationwide Tour winning the final full-field event of that season at the Miccosukee Championship.

He won his second event at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic by three strokes over Justin Leonard on January 20, 2008.