Spartanburg: The Cornhole Capitol of the Carolinas

Very few sports have the potential to be universally appealing to people of all ages, all degress of physical fitness and from all walks of life. But there is one sport — a fairly new game that is gaining popularity all across the country — which might just fit the bill. Surprisingly, it’s a sport that has found a home, and no shortage of enthusiasm, here in Spartanburg

The game is Cornhole, also known by names like Corn Toss, and it’s similar to the traditional game of horseshoes. It’s got everything a sport should have: it has simple rules, it’s easy to pick up, it plays quickly and, most importantly, it’s fun.

It works like this: Players are given a small cornhole bag — basically a small bean bag filled with corn (hence the name) — and attempt to throw it into a hole in an angled wooden platform some 27 feet away. Land on the platform — “on the board” in cornhole slang — and you get one point. Get it in the hole, and you get three points. Players alternate in four-pitch innings, and the first person (or team, in doubles play) to get 21 points wins.

Although the basic idea behind the game has been around in one form or other for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years, the modern version of Cornhole comes from rural Kentucky and southern Ohio. The game had been part of the regional culture in that area for perhaps 100 years, but it really took off in the 1980s and ’90s with the boom in football tailgate parties. The sport has grown significantly since then, largely due to the efforts of people like Frank Geers, the founder of American Cornhole Organization and Michael D. Whitton, president of the American Cornhole Association.

The game has gained so much popularity that there is even a film entitled, “Cornhole: The Movie” soon to be released. Currently in post-production, this comical film could be just the thing to give this unique sport the recognition it deserves.

To find out more about cornhole games here in Spartanburg, I caught up with a local American Cornhole Organization (ACO) official Ryan LaBelle. Three years ago, LaBelle took a trip through West Viginia, and it was there that he was first introduced to the game. Realizing the game’s potential in South Carolina, LaBelle and his friend Keith Wilkins decided to contact the ACO to learn how they could get involved. The duo has been promoting the game throughout the region ever since.

Cornholing in action!

Most notably, the local ACO branch began holding regular cornhole competitions at PJ’s Bar and Grill in north Spartanburg each Wednesday. The games began in May of 2007, and had soon grown from a small group of players to more than 40 regular attendees. The sport proved to be so popular, in fact, that they soon added a second location, the Alamos Cantena in Inman (near Lake Bowen), which is held on Tuesdays. Plans for a third venue — an indoor location closer to downtown Spartanburg — are in the works, partially due to the winter weather.

 

“The great thing about the game of Cornhole in general is that anybody can play,” LaBelle says. “It’s great for a social event, and it brings people together, from children to seniors. It’s highly addictive.”

In addition to their weekly matches, the Spartanburg chapter of the ACO hosts five local tournaments each year. And if you can overcome the competition, there’s even a little money to be made.

“We have the Ice Hole tournament in February, and in May there’s the Cornhole de Mayo,” LaBelle says. “The month of July we host a tournament called Maze-Craze, and this past September we held the Cornhole Classic. Just around the corner on the 29th of November is our Turkey Hole Classic, which we’re preparing for now.”

Although cornhole is a relatively simple game to play, LaBelle sees quite a future for it as a tournament sport. He notes that the game is starting to pick up corporate sponsorships — Jim Beam whiskey, for instance, recently paid for 1,000 cornhole platforms for the national league — and that financial backing will almost certainly help the sport branch out into new places, bringing new people into the cornhole community.

“This is evolving into a professional sport,” LaBelle says. “Anyone who plays now has a chance to be a champion, getting in on the ground floor.”

The local tournaments feature both singles and doubles matches, and LaBelle notes that people of “all shapes and sizes” come out to compete. And the competition isn’t limited to the locals’ either. “Seven states have representative agents organizing in their areas, like Keith and I do here in the Carolinas,” he explains. “Often we’ll see dedicated players that have traveled from out of state to compete with us at our tournaments here in Spartanburg, including some of the top ranking players in the nation.”

LaBelle emphasizes that even those that are new to cornhole have an easy time jumping into the game. In fact, many find themselves to be naturally talented at the game almost from the start. But it’s the national-level competition — the pros — that LaBelle finds the most exciting.

“Simply playing is fun of course, but it’s a little more serious when you get into the competitiveness of it,” he says. “Keith and I will be going to Las Vegas on January 29th to participate in the national King of Cornhole tournament, where $15,000 was up for grabs last year. While in Vegas I’ll be helping to further standardize the sports rules and regulations with the ACO national committee that I’ve recently been invited to join. I’ll be one of the 13 agents from all over the states, where I’ll representing North and South Carolina.”

LaBelle and Wilkins own the franchise rights to North and South Carolina, and are actively seeking help from across the region to help promote the sport. They’ve had great success in hosting some big events, including one for the Creative Loafing weekly paper in Atlanta that saw over 80 teams participate. More recently, the pair hosted the 2008 Fall Brawl at the Hooters of Spartanburg, which saw some 200 participants take part, with as many as half of them being from out of town. The duo are also eager to get involved in hosting events for charities, as the game’s relatively low learning curve makes it ideal for a fundraiser activity.

 

Of course, one of the perks to being a local franchise owner is that you have access to all the best ACO-approved gear. LaBelle also own BullsEye Beverage Co. (located next to PJ’s) a wine and liquor shop that also does a brisk business in official cornhole products. Need a practice board, a few new cornbags or other accessories? LaBelle is ready to help — and provide you with a few beverages, just in case you work up a thirst.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-play sport that almost anyone can play, but that few can master, don’t be surprised if you find yourself out cornholin’ in the near future.

To learn more about local cornhole tournaments and events, contact Ryan LaBelle at scl@americancornhole.com or call him at (864) 706-2126. To get the latest info on what’s happening with the sport in South Carolina at their website.