NASHUA – Concord’s Zach Nelson knows how slim the margins are when competing against the best golfers in the state. On the third hole, after he miscalculated a putt for birdie, Nelson stomped his putter into the grass, knowing he missed an opportunity.
“It’s always a challenge when shots don’t go your way. That birdie putt on three is definitely one that really got away from me; I would have liked to have it back,” Nelson said. “You just got to move past it because there’s plenty of holes left.”
Nelson, a senior, finished as the medalist on the day with 36 strokes, beating out Bishop Guertin’s Aaron Akerman (37) and Bedford’s low-scoring trio of Charlie Soldak, Jackson Jodoin and Zack Demers (39).
Concord’s varsity golf team wrapped up its regular season with 199 strokes for two wins and a loss on Thursday at Sky Meadow in Nashua, defeating Bishop Guertin (202) and Merrimack (213) and falling to Bedford (195).
Facing the second-best Division I program, the Bedford Bulldogs (28-2), was a good test only 11 days out from the state championship. Portsmouth is the still-undefeated team to beat at 26-0.
Concord’s scoring was led by Nelson and bolstered by good days from No. 6 Cam Bobrow (40), No. 7 Parker Lamb (40), No. 2 Blake Campbell (41) and No. 4 Caden McCormack.
Crimson Tide junior Parker Lamb finished the last hole strong at Sky Meadow to score a 40 and help Concord get two wins against Bishop Guertin and Merrimack. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Concord junior Cam Bobrow also scored a 40 for the Tide at Sky Meadow to close out the season with a pair of wins on Oct. 1, 2026. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Concord’s Caden McCormack watches as one of his putts just misses. The sophomore finished sixth in scoring for the Crimson Tide with 42. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Concord sophomore Henry Diaz had a tough day at Sky Meadow, scoring a 46 during the last regular season match for the Tide against Bedford, Bishop Guertin and Merrimack. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Concord No. 3 Garrett Courchaine found his way out of the trees early with a good wedge shot. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor
Across the board, Concord needs consistency off the tee and the mental polish to finish in tight situations. This year’s D-I championship is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Canterbury Woods, a home or at least familiar course for many Concord golfers. Through 18 holes, they’ll have to use every advantage they know of on those hills, said head coach Mark McDonough.
After a slow start against tough competition, the team was able to rebound with a few three-win matches. Still, they need all the momentum they can get, McDonough said.
The championship is as much about playing smart, consistent and clinical as it is about endurance. Walking that course, with usually adverse weather in mid-October, is hard for every golfer. This season the Tide have scored two historic lows during McDonough’s tenure, a 183 and a 184, and they’ll look to have five scorers in the 30s when it matters most.
“We’re going to have to replicate that not just once but for 18 holes at Canterbury,” McDonough said.