It’s usually a fun family backyard game, but today it’s serious business at The Bayview Village in Judea.

Twenty-two contestants from four retirement villages would this afternoon vie to be crowned the first ever Tauranga Seniors Corn Hole Champion.

“Oh, it’s my crazy idea,” said Bayview Village manager Phil Holland. “You always got to start off with a crazy idea, right?”

His village has been running a Phil’s challenge monthly – where the residents versus their village manager at an activity – since January. The most popular had been mini golf, but that was until corn hole came along…

“We’re always looking for different activities for our residents to do,” said Holland. “So the residents sort of challenged me to something as a village manager, and we introduced in Phil’s challenge and got quite popular... They finally beat me at mini golf the other day. I drove back very upset – they rubbed it in all the way home in the van!”

Then came the idea for corn hole. “We decided why don’t we make it a Tauranga-wide competition? And invite other villages so there’s more chance for residents to socialise and have a good laugh and a bit of fun and play something that’s a little bit different – which all age-groups can play."

22 competitors

And so the first ever Tauranga Seniors Corn Hole Champion was born – and is being held this afternoon, June 27, from 2pm inside The Bayview Village’s café area.

Holland said Bayview Village held its own debut corn hole champs recently to select its residents for the Tauranga-wide competition – and the final was very serious. “It was very tense – my goodness, you hear a pin drop!”

Now he has 22 contestants from four Tauranga retirement villages – including Bayview Village, Althorpe, Ōmokoroa Country Club and Matua Village – ready for game on.

“The residents will be divided into teams of two – and we’ll have a round robin followed by elimination until two contestants are left to challenge each another in a big grand final.”

Phil Holland and Pat Purton Bayview Village manager Phil Holland and resident Pat Purton are looking forward to the first ever Tauranga Seniors Corn Hole Championship. Photo / Brydie Thompson

Holland said activities like corn hole bring many benefits to Bayview residents – that’s why he wanted to open it up to other villages. “It gives a lot to residents – it’s the socialising aspect of it, having a laugh, having some fun, and being part of something with like-minded people or getting out there and doing something a bit different.”

Corn hole, which has murky records on where it originated, had become a world-famous classic game – Holland can see why.

“Yeah, it’s simple in the sense that you don’t need a lot of gear, it is good exercise but it’s also accessible to a wide range of people. For example, if you’re in a wheelchair, you can still play – so it caters to all age groups and abilities. All we do is adjust the length the competitor has to throw from, depending on their skill level.”

Every day practising

The new skill is new to many Bayview residents, and it’s great for hand-eye coordination too, said Holland. “We’ve had teams up here every day practising and I just love seeing that, because most people had never heard of it before.”

Bayview Village resident Elaine Cupples, in her mid-70s, made it the championship. “It’s a great way to mix and mingle and socialise with other residents. I love the new exercise and have found that my hand-eye co-ordination has improved,” said Cupples, who was known to have a competitive streak.

Holland is aiming to make the Tauranga Seniors Corn Hole Championship an annual event. “We’re sort of promoting it to other villages to do so.”

Ready for battle

But right now, the contestants are ready for the 2025 battle – and Holland said the public are welcome to come along and watch from 2pm today.

Val Harkness and Pat Purton Bayview Village residents Val Harkness and Pat Purton reckon corn hole is great game. Photo / Brydie Thompson

Bayview resident Pam Fields, who is almost 80, had been busy practising for the championship.

She predicted the contest will be both fun and competitive with some good-hearted laughs along the way, and she looked forward to lifting the inaugural trophy. “The final will be as tense as the Bayview final.”

Today’s championship is being run by local business, Backyard Games NZ, which provide and set up the equipment, organise draws, umpire games, and offer encouragement to players.

“They’ve been so good to deal with and will be present today and run the whole thing for us – they’ll be the chief scrutineers and scorers in the finals.”