Preparing for the World Championships
Ron Heibert arrives early to get some practice in before he tosses in the American Cornhole Organization's World Championships of Cornhole X. To play cornhole, two teams or players face off by tossing four beanbags per round at a board with a six-inch hole. Typically, the first team or player to score 21 points is declared the winner.
Bags and bags ...
Thousands of beanbags are on site in Knoxville for the tournament. Early Friday, the ACO team prepped the courts for competition.
Tee'd up
Commitment to the game can be all-consuming.
Hail to the chief
President and CEO of the ACO, Frank Geers.
... and bags.
From all directions and every angle, you can't avoid the bags at the World Championships. One set of eight World X certified pro bags can run you $75, and must be picked up in Knoxville on Saturday.
Battle ready
One court is prepared for action as a staffer lays out four blue and four red bags for competition.
Road warrior
Eric Zocklein of Louisville, Kentucky, traveled nearly 250 miles to compete in Knoxville.
Scene-setter
The view from inside the Knoxville Convention Center as players warm up for their matches on Friday.
Top Corn
Geers showcases the Corny 40 banner, which represents the 40 best players in the world.
Royal blush
The male and female tournament winners are respectively dubbed the King and Queen.
Wingmen
Doubles partners Allen Wingham and Bob Vonch from Madison, Indiana.
Beaming with energy
Terry Arspaugh from Aiken, South Carolina.
Skillz
Eric Ryder of Charlotte, North Carolina, shows off his bag skills as he spins a beanbag during competition.
In good working order
It's important for world-class competitors to have world-class facilities.
Youth movement
Derrick King from Taylorsville, Kentucky, finished Friday in 18th place.
Cool under pressure
Matt Guy takes a swig of beer during the tiebreaker for ACO Player of the Year. Guy faced off against Jordan Langworthy for the prestigious honor.
To the wire
Jordan Langworthy tosses a red bag during the tiebreaker for ACO Player of the Year..
The new No.1
Matt Guy celebrates after winning the tiebreaker round for ACO Player of the Year.
The spoils
The game is mostly played for fun, but at the ACO World Championships, it's played for pride, passion and ultimately to win one of these sweet trophies.