“It’s a cheap night out and only costs 10 bucks,” Bob “Bubba” Hazlewood was saying about the Oakland Beach Volunteer Fireman Club’s most recent success story. “There’s nice camaraderie and good people here.”

Hazelwood was speaking about the OBVF Corn Hole Tournaments he started three years ago and recently completed its seventh and special session outside the now 100-year-old red brick building on Oakland Beach Avenue in Warwick more commonly known as the Fire Barn.

The most recent 8-week league featured 34 players and concluded with a fun-filled awards ceremony highlighted by the presentation of three trophies amid statements like “this is getting bigger and bigger with more people who are looking to join.”

At one point during the summer, in fact, the Corn Hole event had 40 players and many people saying “we’re looking forward to April” when another session will begin.

Likewise, the popular Corn Hole chairman noted, “some people are also talking about having a winter league that of course would be played indoors.”

Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, the now highly-popular game of Corn Hole – a.k.a. tossing a bean bag toward a board with a hole that determines scoring which has become a phenomenon across the country and even has a nationally-televised league - has been a fun-filled sports social for both men and women alike.

Three players, all of whom are members of the popular watering hole that now offers a variety of special social events, recently took home spiffy trophies for winning the most recent 8-week league.

Heading the list was Bubba’s son, Bob Hazelwood Jr. who won the most recent round and finished the entire session undefeated. He is also a three-time champion.

Kevin LaPlume – who is known in OBVF circles as “Mr. Four Bagger” because he won four times in a row - took home the second-place trophy after winning the previous Corn Hole session while DJ Kowalik was awarded the third-place trophy.

Perhaps the most impressive and important thing about the OBVF Corn Hole Tournaments is that it has become a fun-filled family affair.

For example, Hazelwood, his son and wife Kim enjoy the evening regardless of who wins.

“The camaraderie is classic,” Hazelwood Sr. reiterated added “and made up of all good people and their friends.”