Photo by Jodie Andruskevich
Cam Lien chips a shot on the first hole during Sunday morning play of the Nashua City Tournament at Souhegan Woods in Amherst.

Richard Dichard had his chance to secure victory and write his name in the history books.

Holding a one shot lead through 16 holes, Dichard bogeyed 17 opening the door for Cameron Lien to rewrite Sunday’s storybook ending and grab the championship in the 58th Nashua Cities Tournament at Souhegan Woods Golf Club in Amherst.

Lien (71-72 – 143, 1-under), a Nashua Country Club member, birdied 17 and double-eagled 18 to finish three shots ahead of Passaconaway Country Club member John Devito (77-69 – 146, 2-over) and four better than Dichard (72-75 – 147, 3-over), a member of the host course.

“It was quiet the finish,” Lien said. “I had a real rough start to my round. I was scrambling for pars all day. I putted really well. That made up for some bad tee shots.”

Lien’s first 16 holes consisted of eight bogeys and just one birdie (eighth hole). He made up for those 16 holes with a strong finish.

The birdie on 17 calmed Lien’s nerves. He was looking for another on 18 in hopes of forcing a playoff. Instead he locked down a win.

Lien’s drive left him 185 yards from the pin. He took the 6 Iron out of his bag and went for the flag. The ball hit the front of the green and rolled 30 yards into the cup.

“There were 10 to 15 people standing up around the green,” said Lien, who was participating in his fourth Cities tourney. His best finish was second a couple years ago. “The Ball got the front of the green and found its way to the hole. Everybody just went nuts.”

Dichard was impressed with Lien’s final shot for the win.

“You can’t play defense,” Dichard said. ” That’s not how this sport works. He really came up big on those last two holes.

“It was a fun day. I had my

chances.”

Dichard birdied 11 and finished with a par on 18. During Sunday’s round, he missed three 6-footers for birdie. It ultimately did the Manchester West High School principal in.

“Cam deserves this,” Dichard said. “He played two great rounds and pulled it out with those clutch shots on the last two holes.”

Souhegan Woods member Brian Cannon won the Seniors Division with two rounds of 77. His 154, 10-over total beat out fellow SWGC members Steven Maniglia and John Sterling, and Candia Woods Golf Links member Larry Nuttall by three strokes.

Nashua Country Club member Bryce Zimmerman walked away with the Junior Division crown. He finished with a 4-over 148, besting his fellow NCC member Noah Leclair by eight strokes.

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