The SCA’s goals and objectives are to build cornhole in Saskatchewan. The players are the key to our success, and to ensure we achieve our goals and objectives, we need to support and give back to the players. Our players make a big commitment to play cornhole. It can sometimes be costly when you factor in the entrance fee and the cost of bags (some more than others), and if you need aiming fluid, that is where the real cost comes in. All kidding aside, it is a financial commitment to play cornhole on a regular basis. Deciding to go to Nationals and represent Saskatchewan is another level of commitment. You will be representing not only Saskatchewan but our club as well. We want to help people if you make that commitment to go and play in BC.
Nationals this year will be in Langley, BC, Aug 14-18, 2024. The National event is not only for the Hawks to showcase their talents, but there are events in every tier happening at Nationals. It is an awesome event that allows every tier to play in Blind Draws, Switcholio’s and my favorite, Sit and Go’s. Or if you want to sit back and enjoy watching some of the best throwers in Canada.
When we look at the Cornhole Canada Points System, we will be well-represented in the Top sixteen events. Over 25 players from Saskatchewan would be playing in one of the four top-sixteen events if the season were to end today. Add a few other players who would come for a good time, and we could see 40 players donning the Team Saskatchewan Jersey.
So, what is our plan?
In October, we added $5 to the Regional entry fees in hopes of helping the players who want to head to Nationals in August. In the January meeting, the SCA Board passed a motion finalizing what we will be doing with that money.
Every player attending the national event will be given a Team Saskatchewan Jersey. The SCA hopes to announce our Team Saskatchewan sponsor very soon, which should help with this. The jersey would be designed by us, for us. Can you imagine all 40-plus players wearing the same jersey at the Nationals? It will be awesome.
In addition to a jersey, the winners of Provincial (July 27 and 28, 2024), in the Singles, Tier (3,4,5), Doubles Tier (3,4,5), as well as the Mixed Doubles winner, will don a special jersey that will show they are Saskatchewan Provincial champions in their divisions and get their entry fee paid to those events at Nationals.
Lastly, everyone attending Nationals and representing Saskatchewan will get at least one of their entry fees reimbursed by the SCA.
This is an exciting time to be playing cornhole in Saskatchewan. We have grown and supported each other, and with initiatives like this, our players are reaping the benefits.
Last week, play started on Monday with the Ladies Fun Night. The SCL Ladies were playing singles, and let me tell you, they are getting good. The PPR for Ladies Night is slowly creeping up, with most now over 2.4 PPR. Marla led the way after the three-game round-robin with the only undefeated record. Marla lost the Queen seat game to GMA JO and then headed to the B side to play Kim, who was shooting over a 6 PPR that evening. Kim took down Marla to set up the final. The final game was back and forth all the way to the end, but GMA JO was victorious over Kim 25-15 and won the Ladies night.
Tuesday night was rocking at the Backyard as over 50 players came out to play in the three different tiers. Sixteen Tier 5 players played in a singles 3-game round-robin before heading into a double elimination bracket. When I look at the stats of the Tier 5 players, it was quite amazing for only four weeks into the season. The average PPR is on a steady incline, and our winner, Kim, averaged 5.83 PPR on the night. Kim is playing more and more, and it is really showing. She beat Marla, who is also doing the work and getting better every week.
In Tier 3, Damara came to the Doubles League Night playing as the Ghost and was not taking any prisoners. She played the round-robin perfectly, with a 4-0 record, before she went undefeated in the bracket. She beat week one winners, Dylan and Louie (Backdoor Bandits), to win the final. Eight out of thirteen players were above 7.5 PPR, and four were over 8 PPR.
Tier 4 Doubles saw Oopsidacey playing with the Ghost and Brad & Greg, (Wishkey Time), going 4-0 in the round-robin, but Ringo and Ritzy (Double R Incorporated) sat in the king seat after the bracket. Oopsidacey went through the B-side to take a shot at the throne. Mike won game one, but Ringo and Ritzy took game two to win the night.
Tuesday night was a great night of throwing, and the PPR showed it. The three tier’s top PPR’s were 8.42 thrown by Damara (Tier 3), 7.29 thrown by B-RAD (Tier 4), and 5.83 thrown by Kim (Tier 5).
The Seniors were back at it on Wednesday afternoon. They play from 12:30 PM to about 4 PM every week. This Wednesday was the same: nine seniors and a pigeon (Collins) played a typical switch format. At the end of the afternoon, Michelle the Robot dragged Dean to the winner’s circle, beating Chuck and Darlene in the final. I am unsure how Dean and Michelle got teamed up, but they would be tough to beat any day of the week.
It might have been a quieter week of events, but Friday night was anything but quiet. Seventy-four players came out for a great night of Switchholio. Once the round-robin was complete and the partners were set, we were in the bracket. Playing with the Ghost, Caesar looked like the team to beat as he reached the King’s seat. Dean and Jeff beat Reggie and Crystal for a chance to try and double-dip Caesar. In the end, Caesar completed the undefeated bracket to take down the cash.
POWER RANKING
TIER 3 Power Ranking.
- Jonathan– Stays in the number one spot.
- Spilly – Stays at number two with a strong throwing on Tuesday.
- Presley – Did not play this week
- Newson – Kevin will stay in the third spot with the second-best PPR on Tuesday.
- Damara – Playing with the Ghost on Tuesday, she put up some numbers that, if she can maintain, will be a staple in the top 5. She shot 8.42, with 58% of her bags in the hole. She played one game, winning 21-0 in 7 rounds, shooting a PPR of 11.33 on one end and 10 PPR on the other. (three 12’s Three 10’s and an 8)
TIER 4 Power Ranking. This was tough because the League play was doubles
- B-RAD – Held the highest PPR on Tuesday, and he may not be in this tier for long, but this week, he will stay in the number one spot.
- Bonnie Day – Bonnie, with the extra nights of throwing, is really starting to find her consistency. Shooting Sure Fires more often and honing in on her accuracy has moved her to a spot near the top of Tier 4 in standing and PPR.
- Oopsidacey – Mike playing by himself, came up short in game two of the final, but firing the third-best PPR, will stay in spot three
- Jennifer – Jen sits in my fourth spot.
- I will drop a doubles team in the fifth spot. Double R Incorporated (Ringo/Ritzy) can share this spot with the win on Tuesday. Hopefully they will not get too comfortable because they both will have to play well next week to stay in the top 5.
NEW to the BLOG
TIER 5 Spotlight– I will spotlight three fabulous Ladies from our club this week.
Diamond Dianne – Dianne is known as Diamond Dianne because she has a flash for the dramatic and sparking colors and the twinkle of the diamonds. Dianne has been a regular for years in the cornhole scene, often playing Monday Ladies, Wednesday Seniors and Friday Switches. Dianne and her hubby, Dean, are often on road trips when there are events out of town or even out of the country. She is always friendly and worth conversing with and tough to beat when throwing darts.
GMA JO – Joanne has been working hard on her game, which is paying off as she progressively improves. Her improvement has landed her in the winner circle on more than one occasion, and she is always a pleasure to have as a partner. She can often be seen helping newbies with their throws and is a great advocate for the Tier 5 players. Joanne often plays on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She also will compete in Tier 5 Regionals.
Glenda – Glenda always has a smile on her face when she is playing cornhole. She is the happiest-go-lucky person that really enjoys playing cornhole, win or lose. She also has been working hard on her game, showing when she can make it out. Glenda loves her Monday night ladies’ league because it is a safe place to work on her game and improve without judgment. The Friday night switch is always better when Glenda comes to play
