Inside Race to 21: How Fond du Lac’s Cornhole Scene Found Its Home

Race to 21 Fond du Lac started from something simple. Pat Ha noticed people constantly asking on Facebook where they could find local cornhole events, and there really was not one clear place to point them. That is what sparked the idea. The name came naturally because in cornhole, everyone is racing to 21 points to win. After the page gained traction, Scott Wood approached Pat about turning it into an actual club. From there, “FDL WI” was added to the name, and what started as a page to find tournaments quickly became a weekly community event built around competitive but welcoming bag toss.

I had the chance to personally stop out and visit Pat on a Wednesday night to see how everything was run firsthand. From the moment I walked in, it was easy to see how organized and welcoming the setup was. Pat took the time to walk me through how players sign in, how divisions work, and how the Scoreholio app handles pairings, scoring, and brackets. Watching it in action made it clear that this is not just people throwing bags around. There is real structure behind it, while still keeping the night fun, relaxed, and open to anyone who wants to jump in.

The weekly format is simple and open to the public. Players bring $10, choose between social or competitive divisions, and are guaranteed at least six games. Teams are two players, but you never need to bring a partner. The app pairs you up, tracks scoring, and adjusts brackets based on performance. Games are played to 21 points with cancel scoring, tossed from 27 feet, and payout is 100 percent per division. Whether you are brand new or highly competitive, there is a place for you to play and improve.

Race to 21 has been around the Fond du Lac area for decades, starting at Charlie’s back in 1999, moving to The Hive, and eventually landing at its current home when the group needed more space and better lighting. Beyond weekly play, the organization has helped raise money locally, including thousands for Riverside Elementary playground equipment, alongside support from local businesses. Ages range from kids to seniors, and the atmosphere encourages learning, improvement, and community. On Wednesday nights, it is food, drinks, cornhole, and a room full of people who genuinely want to see each other succeed.