Windy City Cornhole Classic brings on the bags in Hoffman

A cornhole tournament that started at Soldier Field now makes its way to the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. The new location and midsummer timing is an effort to draw more college players, officials say.

The fourth annual Windy City Cornhole Classic and Beer Fest debuts Saturday, July 24, at its new location, offering the chance to play in doubles and singles formats in both competitive and social divisions, as well as in more casual beer 'n' bags games.

Same-day registration takes place at 8 a.m., with the first round of games kicking off at 10 a.m. All matches take place outdoors in the arena's parking lot.

"We get lots of different types of people that come out to play, but we were missing the college market," said Jennifer Jaacks of Adrenaline Sports Management. "A lot of bean bag throwers are college kids who go back to school in the fall."

The tournament's first venture out into the suburbs took place last fall at Arlington Park, when it drew nearly 200 players.

Rudy Rutherford of Dixon started playing in recreational tournaments, but now he looks to compete each weekend. He plans on playing in the competitive doubles division with his girlfriend.

"The events are so much fun," Rutherford said. "You meet so many nice people, and we're finding that we're getting a lot better."

All participants are guaranteed to play in at least two matches in round robin play before the top two teams or players advance to the main draw, which consists of the best two out of three.

Beyond the games themselves, participants will find a variety of other offerings to explore, from vendors and clinics, to a wide selection of food and beer options, and a long toss challenge in between games.

"Moving to the Sears Centre offered us a lot of space, as well as the chance to move indoors in case it rains," Jaacks added.

Competitive games are sanctioned by the American Cornhole Organization, and that appeals to the nearly 25 percent of the competitive players who travel to earn points that count toward their series ranking.

Geno Randazzo of South suburban Justice is one of them. He has won the singles and doubles division the last three out of four years, and he knows several of the top Midwest-ranked players will be on hand Saturday.

"The big-name players will all be there," Randazzo said. "When you have a big tournament that pays out big prizes, you have all the big hitters."

Randazzo added that one of the keys to success is the ability to block out all of the music, surrounding games and festive tournament atmosphere and concentrate on the game.

"It's mind over matter," he said. "You have to be totally focused. For the high-level players, it's a whole different game when it's played at that level."

Both the competitive and social divisions offer cash prizes totaling $4,500, officials said.

For those playing in the recreational beer 'n' bags games, there will be game-related prizes, including cornhole boards and bags.