Veteran sports journalist dedicated to elevating Quebec’s sports community and its athletes
Sherbrooke, Que. — Golf Canada mourns the passing of Mario Brisebois, a journalist and columnist who died following an illness. A respected voice in Quebec sport for five decades, Brisebois helped raise the profile of golf, skiing and tennis through his reporting and his longstanding support of athletes and the organizations that serve them.
Brisebois spent 36 years at Le Journal de Montréal and also worked in radio, including 98.5 FM, and appeared on television as a commentator on RDS. His knowledge and insight were frequently sought by sport organizations, including Ski Québec, Tennis Canada and Golf Québec, and he worked closely with Golf Canada for many years.
Born in Shawinigan, Que., Brisebois developed an early love of golf. In 1973, he caddied for Jocelyne Bourassa during her victory at the LPGA’s La Canadienne tournament in Montréal, an experience that helped shape his path in sport and journalism.
Brisebois was inducted into the Quebec Golf Hall of Fame in 2018. He received Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award in 2003 in recognition of his contributions to the game in Canada. In 2005, he co-founded the Pierre-Nadon Award, presented annually to recognize individuals who have contributed to the development of golf in Quebec.
His coverage of Quebec athletes in skiing was recognized by the International Ski Federation, which named him an outstanding columnist. In tennis, he was named Journalist of the Year by Tennis Québec and was inducted into the Québec Tennis Hall of Fame as a Builder.
Known for his professionalism, kindness and attention to emerging athletes, Brisebois earned the respect of colleagues and competitors across Quebec’s sport community. His storytelling focused not only on results but also on the work and sacrifice behind them.
Diane Dunlop-Hébert, former president of Golf Canada and Golf Québec and a board member of The R&A, said Brisebois was “a true gentleman” whose career was devoted to elevating Quebec’s top talents.
Brisebois is survived by his partner, Nicole, his daughters, Andréanne and Catherine, and his grandchildren, Olivier, Sara Maude, William, Édouard and Henri. The family thanked the medical teams at the Jewish General Hospital in Montréal and the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke for their care.
A memorial event will be held in the coming weeks. Details will be shared by the family at a later date.
