Annual event brings community together, supporting local nonprofits with competitive, fun, and friendly games
By Maylia Baird
Of Atascadero News
ATASCADERO — The first day of the 8th annual Atascadero Showdown Cornhole Tournament started bright and early last Saturday, Sept. 21, at 8 a.m. at the Sunken Gardens. The Singles Open Tournament began first, and later theDoubles Blind Tournament commenced. Then, on Sunday, Sept. 22, they had the Showdown Tournament and, lastly,the Sponsor Tournament.
This cornhole tournament was first started by the Atascadero Knights Columbus group, and later, the North County Baggerz joined in to support the cause as well. The event’s main purpose — aside from having fun and competing in games of cornhole — is to raise money for nonprofits on the Central Coast.
“This year we’re donating to North County Adaptive Sports and Recreation. It’s a great program for individuals with disabilities,” said Mike LoPicolo, member of the Atascadero Knights Columbus group. “Also, our Boy Scouts Troop #51 benefits from this — they get a donation. This is one of the last major sponsors for the Boy Scouts, and Lighthouse Coffee always participates.”
Over the last seven years, the event has raised about $20,000 for these various nonprofits. This year, it’s estimating to raise around $2,000 to divide among each nonprofit. The proceeds all depend upon how many participants end up competing.
LoPicolo says that there is no limit to how many can participate. “We try to get everyone in to play,” he says.
The first-, second-, and third-place winners receive trophies and a cash prize. The first-place winner also receives a custom jersey.
Cornhole is a sport that is harder than it looks and, to many people’s surprise, takes dedicated practice. Adam Gibson, who helped with running the event this year and also played in the tournament, practices four times a week and at home outside of playing tournaments locally.
“I’ve been playing now for four years and I’m still what I would consider an intermediate advanced player, but it’s just a great group and it’s like a family here,” Gibson told Atascadero News.
Keeping score was easy with the Scoreholio app, which allowed people to view the current score on their phones. There were TV monitors that had the scores of all the teams for everyone to see publicly, as well.
Sponsors are essential to make this event happen and greatly appreciated. This years sponsors were The City of Atascadero, Mountain Mikes Pizza, Idler’s Home, North County Adaptive Sports and Recreation, Prawn Designs, Central Coast Distillery, B&B Collision Repair, Ancient Peaks Winery, North County Baggerz, Sara Hays from State Farm, North Coast Engineering, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Miner’s Ace Hardware, Alliance Concrete Limited, and Wild Fields Brewhouse.
Lighthouse Coffee provided pastries and coffee to purchase in the morning and food trucks were available to buy from as well as nearby local restaurants. There was also their annual Charity Auction, Best Costume, Most Points, Air Mail, and other games.
Winners of the Saturday Singles
- SG4L KevOn!
- Groszy, Dignified Hillbilly, The Mob
- Justin Burton
Winners of Showdown B Bracket (Set Teams)
- Fun Bags
- Stew Padaso
- Here 4 Ethan & Gio
Winners of Sunday Set Teams
- ALV
- Trakas HDSPM!
- Cen Cal Baggers
Next year the Showdown Cornhole Tournament will return sometime in September. To stay updated with events in Atascadero you can go to visitatascadero.com.
Featured Image: Cornhole players from all over took part last weekend (Sept. 21-22) in the Atascadero Showdown tournament, which also raised money for local nonprofits. Photo by Rick Evans
