Winner crowned in cornhole clash
By Brandon Davis
Published in News on September 20, 2015 1:50 AM
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City Manager Scott Stevens, Ray Brooks Jr., Michael Byrd and Travel and Tourism director Betsy Rosemann pose for a photo after Brooks and Byrd, representing the Army, placed first in the inaugural Heroes Cup Cornhole Tournament Saturday morning.
Eleven cornhole teams competed Saturday in the Heroes Cup, part of the city's weeklong Beak Week festival.
The teams were either military or emergency service responders. The tournament was held in a parking lot off John Street.
Manny Lopez and Brad Mattern of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base stood beside the last cornhole board. Before playing against each other, Lopez tossed his bean bag in his hand, waiting on Mattern to return with beer.
"Being from military, we like it," Lopez said in reference to the American Cornhole Organization's Heroes Cup competition. "It's nice they are involving us. Getting us out on the weekend."
Frank Geers, founder of the ACO, moved constantly through the crowd, speaking with participants and observing the play.
"Getting them (the military) involved was our main goal for Heroes Cup," he said. "I never thought of 'getting them off base', but we want to thank them for all they do for us.
David Ritchie and Scott Wright, who work with fire and rescue departments in Raleigh, sat under a tree before picking up another bean bag. Ritchie's shirt was soaked from sweat.
"We warmed up. Now, we're resting," Ritchie said, who began to describe his initiation into playing cornhole. "We built a set of boards in 2008, and started playing around the station."
ACO official Mike Byrd, who has a background in the Army, tossed a bean bag toward a board.
"It's my third season as official and director," Byrd said. "My job is to run the tournament, building the player base, social media, and answer questions about rules. Playing and officiating is tough."
Two Army teams reached the finals during the morning tournament. Byrd and Ray Brooks Jr. of the Army division won first place, which included $300, two custom trophies and two custom jerseys.
"It looks like they (ACO) have been doing it for years," JoJo's restaurant owner, Tim Lipold said. "It was a good turnout for a new event."