Cornhole tournament to raise money for Special Olympics teamDate: 11/1/2022 NORTHAMPTON – The Masshole Cornhole Club is hosting their first annual “Special Hole” Cornhole Tournament on Nov. 13 at the Northampton Elks Lodge at 17 Spring St. in Florence to raise money for a local Special Olympics team.
Doors open at 11 a.m. for registrations, sign ins and warm up time before games begin promptly at 12 p.m. To enter a team of partners, there is a $50 fee, and for Special Olympic athletes there is a discount at $30 per team. There will be two tournaments simultaneously for regular entries and Special Olympic athlete entries. Proceeds will be donated to a local Special Olympics Team.
Event organizer Candy Laflam started the Masshole Cornhole Club in 2021 after spending time on the 413 Cornhole club and being introduced to the sport during the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Laflam felt like the Northampton area needed a club of their own so she decided to start Masshole Cornhole. Now over a year into existence, the club sees an average of about 30 people at their weekly game nights, which also take place at the Northampton Elks.
“I was just trying to promote the sport a lot. My league is very laid back, very fun. Any league you go to is going to be open to anyone but we’re not competitive,” Laflam said. “It’s about, for me personally, promoting the sport and getting more people doing it.”
Resident Nick Tanguay, an active member in his community, said he loves getting involved in local events. Tanguay is as a player on the Hampshire Eagles Special Olympics team. Knowing Laflam already, he saw Masshole Cornhole as an ally that could team up in raising money.
“Masshole Cornhole is one of our local cornhole clubs here in the area and cornhole has been growing to be a bigger sport around here both recreationally and in tournaments,” Tanguay said. “I went to a couple of them to check it out and I eventually competed in the Three County Fair. I play for the fun of it and in the past, I had a fun time.”
Knowing Laflam, the club and the community being built, Tanguay felt this was a great ally who is active in the area to help raise money for a cause close to him.
Tanguay is involved with Special Olympics as an athlete and plays for the team that will be receiving the proceeds raised. The money will go to the teams account to help pay for team equipment and other fees for their recreational activities. The team competes in six different sports from fall to spring every year.
“I teamed up with Candy because I know she’s hosted tournaments and leagues and has with Masshole Cornhole done other fundraiser tournaments,” Tanguay said.
Laflam said she loves to support different causes and when Tanguay came to her with this idea she was easily on board. She added she has known Tanguay since her early days with 413 Cornhole as his brothers were also in the club.
“I love supporting causes because if I were ever in a situation of need, I would want someone to help to help me if they could,” Laflam said. “I like to really try and do good charities and am open to help anyone because it’s all about helping people who need help.”
Other causes Laflam has teamed up with people for in raising money are for cancer charities and local youth sports through cornhole tournament fundraisers. She added if anyone trying to find a way to fundraise is interested in a cornhole tournament to reach out to her at candy.laflam@gmail.com
Masshole Cornhole hosts recreational game nights every Wednesday, and while they are not a very competitive group, they have members who participate in tournaments all over New England. She added you can also email her for more information on the club and how to join.
The event will also feature music, food and drinks and raffles. There will also be karaoke and a dance after-party in the lounge. To pre-register you can use the SCOREHOLIO app or website and search “Special Hole” cornhole tournament at Elks Lodge #997.
Tanguay said he hopes the event can raise at least $1,000 and is looking forward to seeing residents come by and have fun in a variety of different ways while enjoying some cornhole. Laflam said typically in her experience they raise between $2,000-$3,000. Tanguay will also be DJing the after-party celebration.
“I like to help with great community events for causes because I like to be involved in the community. I wanted to find something that people enjoy and thought how cornhole is getting more popular, so I said, ‘you know what, I have to team up with somebody’ and I chose Candy,” Tanguay said. “I’m expecting a great turnout.”
Laflam encourages all who are interested to register for the tournament and join the Masshole Cornhole club in a day of fun. She also noted people with disabilities are welcome to register and will be placed in the Special Olympic tournament that will be played alongside the general entry tournament,
There will be six games guranteed for all entries and then a playoff bracket to decide winners. Laflam said if you do not own your own bags that some will be provided to you the day of the tournament. They are also looking for potential raffle prizes, and readers can email Laflam if they are interested in helping. Interested parties can also reach out to her through the Masshole Cornhole Facebook page.
Laflam hopes to keep spreading the word on the club and for any newcomers to the sport to feel free to come by and check it out. She added that when people join the club and find a love for the game, it only adds to the stong community being built in Northampton for the sport.
“Once they acrually play cornhole, then they’re more apt to want to do a cornhole tournament. They’re more familiar with the game, how it works, the comradery,” Laflam said. “I just love doing this. I love the sport, I love helping people and I love having fun. I have a lot of family in the cornhole community and it all started just by going one time to that original cornhole club.
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