Blue Mondays? Not at this gym. When Pikes Peak Cornhole players gather, their banter and laughter punctuate the air as often as the sharp whack of bags hitting boards.

It’s a deceptively simple concept: launch your bag and try to land it in the hole. But that doesn’t tell the whole story of a close-knit group, together for six years, that pitches in for great causes.

“We’ve been throwing here since November last year,” said Jim Beam, 46. The group moved from The Farm Athletic Performance Center to Divine Redeemer Catholic School’s gymnasium. It’s in their gymnasium that the bags fly weekly.

“We’ll do things like tell everyone to bring a canned good,” said Beam. “We’ve helped with restocking a food pantry, School Supply Night and a coat drive.” 

Mike Walsh takes a breather between games.    

On any given week, there are 30-40 players tossing the bags. The flexibility of cornhole is one of its main appeals—unlike team sports, where your absence could impact the game, players choose when to play. The cost to play is $20 cash, with $5 going toward gym upkeep. The rest goes to the winners in various divisions.

“We just ask that if you sign up, please show up,” said Beam.

While the friendly competition and charity are at the heart of the club, there’s no shortage of skill or talent among members. At the annual Colorado State Cornhole Championship, where clubs from across the state compete, Pikes Peak Cornhole has taken home several first-place wins against stiff competition.

SKILL MATTERS

The club’s custom boards, crafted by Colorado Cornhole Connection in Greeley, are works of art. 

And the bags are not the little rectangular bean bags of your youth. They’re square, and there’s heft to them. There are slow and fast bags, filled with small or large beading and sometimes corn—hence the sport’s name. But your personal throwing technique matters most.

With cornhole, you can’t judge a winner by their appearance, said Beam.

“Things like height or athleticism don’t matter,” added Ron Billings, 59. He and other players affirm how easy it is on their bodies.

“Anyone can play,” said Beam, noting that the group includes men, women and players of all abilities, ranging from ages 10 to 70. 

Cornhole also has a strong presence among active and retired military. 

Shane Palm, 50, started playing while deployed and said, “It’s fun and it’s a challenge.”

Marcos Olvera, 49, a retired Army veteran, operates Elevation Cornhole at Whirlyball. He mentioned that some players don’t have family nearby or their loved ones live far away.

“So I say, ‘Come to my house,’” he shared, especially when the holidays roll around.

CORNHOLE’S WARM WELCOME

Scoreholio, an app, keeps players informed and connected with upcoming events, who’s playing and game results. When Billings traveled to Utah, the app linked him to a local cornhole club, where he received a warm welcome. Pikes Peak Cornhole also frequently hosts guests. It’s all part of the hospitality and enthusiasm this board-and-bag pastime inspires.

“Cornhole brings us all together,” said Olvera, capturing the spirit of a game that’s much more than just bags and boards.