Kari Niess hadn't tossed a bean bag in 20 years before warming up for the Macoby Run Cornhole Tournament. The East Greenville resident said her first round

Rob Frey of Pennsburg, left, takes aim as he prepares to throw a bean bag as he participates at Saturday evening's Macoby Run Cornhole Tournament in Marlborough Twp.

didn't go well. However, her next two rounds got better.

            Rob and Sharon Frey were looking for a fun event when they signed up for the tournament, held Saturday, March 9.  "We're here to have fun," said Rob Frey, who lives in Pennsburg.

            Matt Duka, a Green Lane resident, called the tournament a fantastic idea. His partner, Todd Swenk, said everyone likes to play picnic games and drink beer.  "I would love to win," said Swenk, also of Green Lane.

            Forty eight teams of two competed in the inaugural event inside Pearl's Pavilion at the course, located at 5275 McLean Station Road in Marlborough. The players ranged in age from 16 to 72, according to Jody Peart, a golf course employee who organized the tournament. He called it an opportunity to combat cabin fever.

            "It's the new thing," Peart said. "You can hold a beer while you play. It's a win - win." 

            Last year, he visited a Philadelphia bar located inside a warehouse that offered multiple yard games.  "I was completely blown away," Peart said.

            When he created the event, and posted it on the course's Facebook page, Peart said he wasn't sure how many people would sign up. He was hoping for 50 to 75 applicants, with 80 at the most.

            "I was concerned we would have to cancel the event," Peart said. "But I had no idea how popular cornhole has become."

            Each team played at least three games during the event. Games were completed in 13 minutes on six boards set up underneath the pavilion and played under rules determined by the American Cornhole Association. Peart set the tilted cornhole boards, measuring two feet high and four feet wide, 27 feet apart. Competitors threw bean bags weighing between 13 and 16 ounces. Bags that go in the hole were worth three points, while bags on the board were received one point.

            Sharon Frey suggested that she and her husband participate in the tournament. According to Rob Frey, he knew several people there.  "My wife said, 'What do you think,'" he said, adding that he never played competitive bean-bag before. 

            Niess, who teamed up with her father in-law Steve after learning that her husband entered in the tournament,  said her first round of warm ups didn't go too well. However, her tosses improved in the second two rounds.

            "The key to throwing the bean bag well is a good grip and at a high trajectory," Niess said.

            Duka and Swenk, who play the game every Fourth of July, won their initial game. Swenk called their performance in the lopsided victory fair. According to Duka, their goal was to "move fast" and score early points.

            "Accuracy is the key do doing well," Swenk said.

            According to Peart, Ed Ramirez and Joe Trowbridge captured the tournament title. Each received a $100 gift card and a free round of golf. They edged Pat O'Hara and Jim Mensch, who took second to each earn $50 gift card and a driving range membership. Mark Moll and Scott Engle finished third, overall. Both earned a $25 gift card and free greens fee for a round of golf.