News

Montréal, September 16, 2026 – The Pierre-Nadon Prize is a prestigious annual honorary distinction presented within Québec’s golf community. Created by a committee of specialized journalists and sanctioned by Golf Québec, the committee was chaired by columnist Mario Brisebois, who sadly passed away last December.

The Pierre-Nadon Prize honours an individual or a group that has made an outstanding contribution to the development, advancement, and profile of golf in the province, extending well beyond participation in the sport itself.

Who better than Mario Brisebois to embody the very essence of this award? It is an honour he would have deserved long ago. Yet, he was never one to seek the spotlight—quite the opposite.

He was always there for others, encouraging everyone and accurately reporting on the achievements of Québec’s golf community. He never missed a thing. Following the careers of many Québec golfers, both professional and amateur, was of paramount importance to him.

Throughout his many years at the Journal de Montréal, and later each week in the digital magazine Au 19e trou, he regularly chronicled the accomplishments of our golfers on the local, provincial, Canadian, and international stages, ensuring that their achievements received the recognition they deserved.

Mario always brought distinction to his role as a sports journalist, and many athletes benefited from his exceptional coverage. Although golf was always especially important to him, skiing and tennis were also among his favourite sports.

How many athletes gained recognition across Canada because Mario kept abreast of every one of their accomplishments? During his roughly 30 years at the Journal de Montréal, he regularly adjusted his schedule to European time so he could follow athletes competing around the world.

Mario Brisebois first came into the public eye as Jocelyne Bourassa’s caddie, particularly during the 1973 La Canadienne tournament, which she won. Media coverage often showed Mario as part of Jocelyne’s entourage.

Originally from Shawinigan-Sud, Mario benefited from the advice and encouragement of Gilles Bourassa—Jocelyne’s brother—who was known as “Mr. Golf.”

As a young man, Mario worked at the golf club managed by Gilles. In his spare time, he never missed an opportunity to head to the practice range and hit ball after ball. His hard work, much to the club professional’s delight, eventually earned him a handicap index of 2 and the opportunity to compete in several junior events, where he regularly went head-to-head with Daniel Talbot.

Although Mario enjoyed memorable moments as Jocelyne Bourassa’s caddie, he remained at the top of his profession as a journalist. In addition to his remarkable work ethic, he always retained the respect of every athlete he met. He never betrayed a confidence, which is why those same athletes never hesitated to confide in him.

For everything he contributed to golf in Québec, Mario Brisebois is a most deserving recipient of the Pierre-Nadon Prize.
 
About Pierre Nadon
 
Pierre Nadon was a golf journalist at La Presse. His career also included serving as editor-in-chief of Golf Canada magazine. Following his passing, his former colleagues decided to honour him by creating an award inspired by his passion.

The 2026 selection committee is composed of Réal Labbé, Michel Lacroix, Denis Messier, André Rousseau, Daniel Caza, and Randy Phillips.

About Golf Québec – Initiate passions, build dreams

Founded in 1920, Golf Québec is the provincial sports federation whose mission is to increase participation in golf, foster excellence in the sport, and promote and govern the practice of golf. Golf Québec offers programs for beginners, recreational players, and competitive athletes, as well as programs designed to develop high-level players. For more information, visit www.golfquebec.org.

-30-

Source:

Jean-Pierre Beaulieu, Executive Director
514-252-3345, ext. 3732 – jpbeaulieu@golfquebec.org