The American Cornhole World Championships from Owensboro, Kentucky!

Post date: Jul 30, 2017 2:58:23 PM

Cornhole, cornhole, and more cornhole...

If you like cornhole, Owensboro, Kentucky was the place to be this week as the Season XII edition of the American Cornhole World Championships descended on the Bluegrass State. ACO events are probably the most competitive and well-organized tournaments out there. So let's get into it with some talking points from this past week!

Beware of the Pros?

It's easy to spot the pros; they stick out like British soldiers in the Revolutionary War proudly announcing their presence in the coveted, colorful jerseys. However, my experience this time has been that some of the most dangerous challenges have come from the plainclothes pitchers. Everyone can play and play well, but nobody is invincible, including the pros. Investigative reporter, MFER, made a habit of challenging the Pros who appeared to be in need of a little humility and did not do too badly. He and I have also traded some wins and losses with all types of players. Point being, don't necessarily judge a book by it's jersey!

The Beauty of Tier Play...

If it was not for tier play here at Worlds, I would have spent about the entire week spectating and not pitching. The World Championships are structured in a manner that initially places competitors (doubles and singles) in groups; similar to our singles competition at the ACO New England Cornhole Championships. The groups are seeded based on ACO ranking and the top two players from each group advance to the main, World Championship bracket. However, even if you do not survive your group, you drop down to a tier level based on your finishing position in group play. After the Championship level comes Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4. In theory, you get reassigned to a level that better suits your skills. But, upsets happen and we did run into some Pros lurking in the lower tiers.

So how did we do?

In our Ranked Player Invitational (RPI) singles groups, both of us crashed out early and dropped down to Tier 4 (MFER 1-2, Rielly 0-2). Once in Tier 4, the process started over again as we were separated into groups with about 200 other Tier 4 tossers. This time, we both made it out of our groups and advanced to the final 32 of Tier 4 on Championship Saturday. I fell victim to some friendly fire, but MFER made a nice run before bowing out in 4th place. Check out our final singles bracket! In RPI doubles, things started out pretty well for us as we held on to upset the number one seed in our group. However, disappointment followed as we lost a close one and then stumbled down to Tier 3. Even at this Tier, the results show that every match at Worlds can be a challenge! Outside of tournament, we played quite often, made some new friends, and fared well. Several came up to ask me if MFER was a Pro. No, but the kid's pretty good!

Owensboro...

Let's close with some commentary on Owensboro, Kentucky. It's difficult to criticize Owensboro as the arena, hotels, riverfront, and some unexpected Friday night entertainment were splendid. Plus, the people here are really nice. The city is truly investing in its community and this little city has been named one of the best small cities in America. But, when I think cornhole and World Championships, small and little are not words I want to use. Putting Boston and New England first, I do feel a need to critique the choice of Owensboro. There would certainly be financial challenges in hosting this event or majors in large cities. However, as a Certified Official, I know it will be tough to maintain or expand participation in New England if we do not get a Major and if the World Championships are held in locations that are both difficult and expensive to travel to. But that's my job and I'll push my ACO counterparts for some big events in the Northeast!