It was just five years ago when Innisfil resident Mike Nieleszeruk became involved in the toss game of cornhole and eventually making a business out of it.
While it may seem like just a fun pastime to do with friends at a BBQ, the lawn game is actually an organized sport with leagues all over the world, including a few in Simcoe County.
Nieleszeruk calls it the "ultimate tailgating sport" involving players tossing bags of corn kernels in holes on a raised wooden board.
"It's really taking off in the states and in Canada, it's growing like dandelions on my lawn right now," he joked.
The Canadian government has accepted Cornhole Canada as a registered nonprofit organization, which is the first of its kind and is the official sanctioning body of the sport. The first league in Kitchener-Waterloo started in 2017.
"We're trying to catch up to the States quickly, but they're years ahead," he said.
Nieleszeruk became familiar with the sport while visiting the United States to watch Cleveland Browns football games. In pre-pandemic times he and his friends would head down and take part in the tailgate parties, which often included games of cornhole.
"Everybody was playing it down there while they are tailgating in the parking lot, and we played and joined a tournament, and I was instantly hooked," he said.
Once back at home, Nieleszeruk and his brother Joe started making their own cornhole boards and organizing tournaments with friends and family.
Nieleszeruk has become passionate about the sport and two years ago even had the opportunity to go back to the states and was able to play in the World Championships. With COVID disrupting most group activities and events, most of the leagues have had to move to virtual events.
In one of them, Nieleszeruk was paired with a professional player, and the game was played via Facebook.
"That one was pretty neat because there were players from Germany, I played against guys from Norway, it was really cool there were players from all over the world," he said.
Nieleszeruk is a full-time firefighter in Brampton and runs his cornhole board-making business, Moondog Cornhole, on the side.
The name Moondog comes from a character played by Matthew McConaughey in the movie 'Beach Bum'.
"It's a little bit whacky and fun," he said of the name.
In addition to making and selling cornhole boards and swag, he also runs local leagues in Alliston, Innisfil, and Orillia.
"Our goal was to have them up and running last winter, but we're still sitting and waiting," he said. "I've always been involved in sports, and loved being on the organizing and coaching side of things so it kind of fell into place."
He is currently taking sign-ups for the drop-in league, hoping government restrictions will be lifted soon to play.
There are two divisions to play in, including a 'Fun Divison' and 'Competitive League'.
The fun division is $5 to play with weekly draws for local gift cards from supporting sponsors, and the competitive league will have pay-outs for prizes. Anyone can sign up, and no experience is necessary.
Nieleszeruk has his third annual Simcoe County Cornhole Championship planned for Saturday, Aug. 14 in Innisfil at 7883 Yonge St., with part of the proceeds going toward the Stroud Curling Club.
"This is one of Canada's biggest cornhole tournaments!" explained Nieleszeruk.
The tournament has been popular among locals and even out-of-towners.
Two years ago, 62 teams were registered for the event, including a few from the U.S.
"The Stroud Curling Club is the perfect venue, it has a bar and it's an air-conditioned building," said Nieleszeruk.
Moondog Cornhole has already partnered with Big Brothers/Sisters Orillia for a Cornhole fundraiser event and is in talks with a few local gyms about doing small business fundraiser events.
"We will do it as safe as we can," he said about the games. "It's a really good community, everybody has the same goal of trying to get people to try it."
He is also part of the Southern Ontario Cornhole Series, where teams of 10 will travel and play one another across the province. He and the rest of the organizers hope to be able to run the series in full capacity next year.
"It's just something to strive towards if you're that fringe player and want to play competitive," he said.
Nieleszeruk's fiance Chantel has been helping him with the business, using her design expertise to decorate the boards. She also plays the game for fun.
"She doesn't get competitive like I do," he laughed.
The couple tried to get married last year, but due to the pandemic, plans got put on hold. They are hoping to be able to tie the knot later this year.
To join one of the local leagues or sign up for the Simcoe County Cornhole Championship, visit the Moondog Cornhole site here.
