Leaving Las Vegas
A one on one list of questions from The Voice of the ACO, to the King of Cornhole, Matt Guy.
Written by Greg Williams
It’s getting hard core folks! The last of the weeks will tick away faster than any of us are prepared for. We have arrived at the time when the pros hit the hardwood and the hole on a nightly basis.
The American Legion Post 450 is a busier place than normal on Monday nights. The ACO’s best players routinely show up to test their mettle against all others this time of year. The ACO-PROs get what they need: a good practice round in a somewhat relaxed atmosphere.
Members of the ACO World Rankings have made an appearance in the last few weeks. But they aren’t just any player in the World Rankings. Eric Hinerman, Jack Stagge, Kevin Pinkerton and David Shoemaker are part of the infamous CornyForty. Joining them on a more regular basis as of late, is Matt Guy, four-time ACO King of Cornhole. Guy didn’t have a good finish to the season and has been prepping for the biggest show in cornhole.
The cornhole world is wondering: Is Guy struggling? Does he feel he can defend the crown? Is the King of Cornhole tournament his chance to show everyone why he should be the King? The Champ sat down to discuss these questions and more. Read on fellow aficionados of our favorite sport, here is the ever popular (and fortunately still accessible) Matt “The Champ” Guy.
The Voice: Matt, there have been some strategic wins this year and some hard losses. Leaving the map of the ACO tournaments behind for a moment, how have you fared in other contests?
The Champ: It has definitely been an up and down year for me. I seemed to have fared pretty well in most major tournaments but have also been knocked out early of some good tournaments, which is hard for me to swallow.
The Voice: We have seen some edginess to your play this year, with a lot of experimentation. A good example was the new throw you were using at the AL Post the other night. Your arsenal of throws has expanded considerably in
the last year. What do we have to look forward to in your approach to the World Championships this February?
The Champ: There has been edginess to my game this year, very inconsistent. I have been practicing on different throwing styles trying to find my consistency again. As far as what style will I use at the worlds, it has yet to be decided.
The Voice: Your rankings are a bit lower this year than in 2009. Coming into the ACO World Championships of Cornhole last year, you never left the top three. This year, you are coming into the Big Show with the number eight seed next to your name. Is there a lack of energy or lack of concern driving this change to your approach?
The Champ: Being number eight has opened my eyes and brought back the focus I need for a five peat.
The Voice: Is there any strategy to coming from a “middle of the road” ranking than fighting from the top? Is that a part of your plan to take a top slot?
The Champ: No. There is no strategy involved other than knowing I still have to win all of my matches.
The Voice: Please talk about the final round at the Tailgate Bash last August in Cincinnati. The final round was a hard loss to Dale Smith, a relatively new competitor who came out of your Kentucky backyard. Give us your review of the new map of players who threaten to change the face of the game.
The Champ: That was the worst loss I have ever suffered. I went into that tournament feeling extremely prepared and on top of my game. But when I stepped out on the courts from the first match of the day all of the way through the finals I was never comfortable or confident.I just could not get in a rhythm. I struggled my way through to the finals but was no match for Dale who was throwing very well. There no such thing as an easy win anymore. If you don’t bring your A game, day in and day out you will get beat. Pretty much everyone that plays in ACO tournaments can beat anyone at anytime.
The Voice: The game has grown in the last few years but never as much as this season. Tell me about your take, as an ACO-PRO, on the future of the sport of professional cornhole.
The Champ: The competition is unbelievably tough which is good for the sport and will make for good tv when we are playing on national tv. Coming Soon.!!!!!!!!!
The Voice: Talk about the Maize Craze for a moment. You lost to your son, Bret. He progressed to
the finals, a round that was unfortunately rained out on the sands of Virginia Beach. How did it feel to lose to him in a Master’s Series? Did you have a little pride? Or, was the ride home a little tough on the ears?
The Champ: Losing to my son really did not bother me. It was another day where I had no confidence or rhythm and I knew that he was throwing well in bad conditions. But he was sure to let me know for a few weeks that he was going to be man soon.
The Voice: Last year, at the advent of the Cornhole de Mayo, you talked a little trash about your competition. I am not going to ask if you see yourself in the championship at the Worlds in Indiana. My question is, who do you see yourself playing in the final match of the season?
The Champ: Look at brackets. Flip a coin.
The Voice: We are playing this match at the same time a Tailgater’s League is trying to draw folks to Vegas for a big match. Why aren’t you going to Vegas? How does it feel to return the biggest game of the year to the Midwest?
The Champ: Simple answer. The ACO is the show.
The Voice: I have noted in the past that you are your own worst critic. Routinely, I have seen you get annoyed with yourself while playing in a big match. This past November at the Turkey Hole, I watched you sink 18 Cornholes in a row during practice. Yet, I observed you were demonstrably annoyed with your play as you walked back and forth on the court. What was going through your head at that moment?
The Champ: I know exactly what I have to do to put the bags in the hole. But, the human element sets in and the body don’t do what I want it to do or I just simply can’t stay focused on my game which leads to making mistakes. So as I walk back and forth I talk to myself to try to do everything correctly or just try to tell myself that I need to get more focused but sometimes I just can’t. I usually am telling myself to get my head out of my a**.
The Voice: Off topic. There is one other big tournament the weekend of the ACO World Championships of Cornhole in Indiana. Do you care to make a guess at who will be in the Super Bowl?
The Champ: Wow. I didn’t realize that there was another event that weekend. But anyway, I can’t bet against Tom Brady and the patriots. When Brady is on his game like he has been they are very difficult to beat.