skindberg@post-journal.com

CHAUTAUQUA N.Y. — Nick Giambrone struggled to keep his emotions in check as he stood on the patio just off the 18th green on the Lake Course at Chautauqua Golf Club late Sunday afternoon.

Not only had his 3-under par 69 given him the Jim Riggs Memorial Champions title by four shots over Nolan Ditcher and Jack McCauley, but it also provided him with the perfect Father’s Day gift for his dad, Mike.

“You always see the guys win the U.S. Open on Sunday hugging their dads and I wanted to do it today,” he said, his eyes moistening as he spoke. “I’m very happy to do it.”

Mike Giambrone shares an emotional embrace with his son, Nick, after the latter won the Jim Riggs Memorial Champions on the Lake Course at Chautauqua Golf Club on Sunday. Times Observer Photo by Scott Kindberg

Giambrone is a Clarion University graduate and former member of its golf team. He had been thinking about playing in the Riggs Memorial Champions — established in 1990 for club champions from the regulation 18- and nine-hole courses in the circulation of The Post-Journal, the OBSERVER and the Times Observer — for the last nine months since claiming the club championship at Cable Hollow Golf Course last Labor Day weekend.

“I’ve always wanted to win this,” said the 24-year-old Giambrone. “I’ve won some junior club championships and the Conewango Steeplechase, but had never won a club championship. A lot of that is because we always had college tournaments. … I had never played in any until last fall. Austyn (Cummings) caddied for me at Cable and we kept the mojo going today.”

Right from the start.

In fact, Giambrone, who made a 40-foot birdie putt on the first hole, also drained a 25-footer from the fringe at No. 3. At the turn, he was at even-par 35. On the back nine, Giambrone played bogey-free, highlighted by birdies at No. 10, No. 16 and No. 18.

When his final putt dropped for birdie on the final hole, Giambrone pumped his fist in celebration, knowing he will be able to return to the Jim Riggs Memorial Champions annually now that he is the owner of the first-place bowl.

Nick Giambrone pumps his fist after sinking a birdie putt on the 18th hole on the Lake Course at Chautauqua Golf Club. Times Observer Photo by Scott Kindberg

That thought wasn’t lost on him or his father after the round was over.

Upon signing his scorecard, Giambrone found Mike on the patio and they shared a long, tearful embrace.

“It’s better than a club championship,” Giambrone said as his dad, his mother, Debbie, and his sister, Michaela, looked on. ” … I’ve been looking forward to this forever.”

Other golfers in the 17-man field who finished in the 70s were Tyler Nelson of Moon Brook Country Club (76); former champions Josh Harrington (76), Scott Crist (76) and Taylor Beaver (77); Nate Sandberg of Blueberry Hill Golf Club (77); former champions Nolan Swanson (77) and PJ Gronquist (78); and Austin Stoddard of Conewango Valley CC (78).

Chautauqua Golf Club

Lake Course

6,559 yards

Par 72

Nick Giambrone 35-34-69

*Nolan Ditcher 36-37-73

Jack McCauley 37-36-73

Tyler Nelson 37-39-76

Josh Harrington 35-41-76

Scott Crist 38-38-76

Taylor Beaver 40-37-77

Nate Sandberg 39-38-77

Nolan Swanson 36-41-77

PJ Gronquist 39-39-78

Austin Stoddard 41-37-78

Matthew Fuller 41-40-81

Greg Winter 38-45-83

Ryan Lehman 45-42-87

Frank Lewczyk 47-40-87

Jerry Rouse 46-42-88

Jesse McMichael 44-45-89

*Runner-up after a match of cards