Monday-Saturday, July 22-27, 2002
Bemidji Town & Country Club, Bemidji, Minnesota
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2001 Men's Executive Championship

		Randy Holmes takes Executive Championship
		BY JOHN J. McRAE The Pioneer of Bemidji BEMIDJI, Minn.     It's hoped that in every tournament match play division final, both competitors perform at the top of their games and one player wins the title by playing well, instead of someone giving it away.     Saturday's title match in the Executive Division was one of those quality matches. In the end Randy Holmes of Atlanta, Ga., defeated Charlie Cavanagh 2-1 for the crown. Randy Holmes(right) receives his first place trophy from Birchmont Co-Chairperson Bob Kobilka     "It was good golf and a very enjoyable match," Holmes said after the big win. "Nobody gave anything away out there."     On the way to the championship match Holmes defeated Jake Nelson of Bemidji, Jay Loch of Bemidji and Curt Howard of Monahans, Texas. Cavanagh advanced to the final with wins over three Bemidji players - Mitch Knutson, Rob Noren and Paul Daman.     In the final, Holmes found himself 2-down early when he three putted for bogey on the second hole and Cavanagh birdied number three. Holmes came charging back, however, with a pair of birdies on four and five to even the match.     A Cavanagh bogey in the par-3 11th hole put Holmes in the lead for the first time on the day. Holmes then canned a 12 foot putt for par on 14 to take a 2-up edge. Cavanagh had a chance to cut into the lead on 16, but narrowly missed a five footer for birdie.     The two then halved the 17th hole with pars and Holmes took the match 2-1. "My only bogey during the match was that three putt on the second hole," said Holmes. "Both of us played very solid on the front nine; we were each two under."     This was Holmes' fifth year in the Birchmont and his first title. He is a longtime friend of Bemidji Town and Country Club professional Paul Grovum. Over the course of the last few years, Holmes has made a lot more friends through the tournament.     "This is such a great week," Holmes said. "It truly is a wonderful tournament. It's amazing when you think they put 280 players through the course every day for six days. They do a great job taking care of every player and the course."     The tournament nearly started out as a disaster for Holmes. His clubs were lost by the airlines in his flight to Bemidji and he didn't get them until five minutes before his tee time on the opening day of qualifying.     "I was set to go with some other clubs, but I'm sure glad mine arrived," he said. Holmes said he has plans to return next year to defend his title. This time, however, he may book two seats - one for him and one for his clubs.      View 2001 Men's Executive Championship Brackets