I’m not sure about you, but the game cornhole is very new to me. It’s a game, however, that’s starting to resonate with me and many other Blufftonians, who — in their usual eccentric way — have caught the cornhole bug.
You can see it being played by young and old alike at several Bluffton hot spots, including on the May River sandbar, behind Monster Pizza (one of the local pizza favorites), and in the backyards of many homes in town, to name a few.
So, I have diligently researched the game to find out what it’s all about … and to find out who in the world came up with it.
Cornhole is similar to horseshoes except you use wooden boxes called “cornhole platforms,” and corn bags instead of horseshoes and metal stakes. Players take turns pitching their corn bags at the cornhole platform until a team (or a single player) reaches 21 points to win.
It’s been said that the game originated in Germany in the 14th century, and then was rediscovered in the hills of Kentucky more than 100 years ago. The game has been called many things over the years, including corn toss, bean bag, bean toss, soft horseshoes and Indiana horseshoes, to name a few.
One of the best things about the game is that no matter how or where it came about, it’s great fun for all ages and can be played anywhere. You don’t have to be a professional to get the feel of the game and play it well. It’s a great way to spend time with family and friends, and be outdoors all the while.
If you get the “cornhole bug” and decide to take it to the next level, there are cornhole tournaments every Wednesday at Monster Pizza. Businesses and other groups have formed teams to compete against each other.
There’s even a company called Bluffton Cornhole. According to its website, www.blufftoncornhole.com, “Bluffton Cornhole is a locally owned and operated company. … We are cornhole enthusiasts who enjoy crafting boards almost as much as playing the game. Combining fine construction with imagery that is distinctively Bluffton, we are creating unique boards that are both beautiful and fun to use. We also provide easy customization with vinyl graphics that offer a great opportunity to showcase your company logo or show support for your favorite sports team.”
I always tell people that Bluffton is a very social town, and we always come up with a reason to get together with friends. Cornhole is another way to do just that.
