CORNHOLE CERTIFIED OFFICIAL GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 ACO Certified Officials and ACO Certified Official Dealers 4.14 Regional Scheduling 1.1 1.2 What is an ACO Certified Official Dealer? 4.16 What do I need to submit to the ACO at the conclusion of my Event? 1.3 Benefits of becoming an ACO Certified Official or ACO Certified Official Dealer CHAPTER 5 ACO Standings 1.4 Certified Official/Dealer Requirements 5.1 ACO World Singles Standings 1.5 Territory Exclusivity 5.2 CornyForty 1.6 How to become a new ACO Certified Official 5.3 ACO World Doubles Standings 1.7 5.4 TopGun Twenty What is an ACO Certified Official? How to become an ACO Certified Official Dealer 1.8 I ve Been Certified! Now what? CHAPTER 2 ACO Membership 4.15 ACO Conference Championship Tournaments 5.5 ACO World Womens Standings 5.6 ACO World Seniors Standings 5.7 ACO World Juniors Standings 2.1 Types of the ACO Memberships 5.8 ACO Coed Doubles Standings 2.2 ACO Membership benefits 5.9 ACO Mini Boards Doubles Standings 2.3 How to become an ACO-PRO player 5.10 ACO Frame Game Standings 2.4 Is a player required to be an ACO Member to participate? 5.11 What is an ACO Frame Game? CHAPTER 3 - ACO Conferences (NEW) 5.12 Singles Frame Games Format 5.13 Doubles Frame Games Format 3.1 About ACO Conferences 5.14 Frame Game General Rules 3.2 Goals of ACO Conferences 5.15 ACO Conference Standings 3.3 ACO Conferences and Commissioners breakdown 5.16 Tiebreakers CHAPTER 4 - ACO Tournaments CHAPTER 6 - Equipment and Rules 4.1 Types of ACO Tournaments 6.1 Rules for ACO Events 4.2 ACO Invitationals 6.2 ACO Recognized Equipment 4.3 ACO Qualifiers 6.3 ACO Approved Equipment 4.4 ACO World Championships of Cornhole 6.4 What types of equipment do I need for my Event? 4.5 ACO State Championship Tournaments 4.6 What is the ACO Masters Series CHAPTER 7 - Fees and Making Money 4.7 About the ACO Masters Series Tournaments 7.1 4.8 ACO Masters Series Majors 7.2 Fees for Qualifiers includes 4.9 ACO Masters Series Regionals 7.3 Submitting payments to the ACO 4.10 Regional General Rules 7.4 Making money as a CO 4.11 Regional Points Scale 7.5 Product discounts for ACO Certified Officials 4.12 Regional Schedule and Names 7.6 The Fast Track Pricing Guide 4.13 Tournament Format for all Regional Divisions 7.7 How to order Product Certified Official fee to the ACO for coordinating Regionals
CHAPTER 1 ACO Certified Officials and ACO Certified Official Dealers 1.1 What is an ACO Certified Official? Answer: An ACO Certified Official (CO) is an individual qualified to coordinate ACO Masters Series Regionals according to the standards set by the ACO. Purchase Regional tournaments at a discounted price Earn season-long commissions by recruiting other Certified Officials Earn commission on sponsorship sales Many opportunities ACO Certified Officials are eligible to: Earn money by being contracted for other ACO events Coordinate ACO Regional tournaments Tools for your organization - ACO Certified Officials and ACO Certified Official Dealers Sell ACO Memberships 1.2 What is an ACO Certified Official Dealer? Answer: An ACO Certified Official Dealer (COD) is an individual qualified to coordinate ACO Masters Series Regionals according to the standards set by the ACO. In addition to Memberships and Regionals, CO Dealers have more benefits. ACO Certified Official Dealers are eligible to: Coordinate ACO Regional tournaments Sell ACO Memberships Purchase ACO Products and Merchandise at wholesale or discounted prices Recruit other new Certified Officials Purchase Regional tournaments at a discounted price Sell ACO Sponsorships Be contracted to run various ACO Corporate activities Maintain a zip code of exclusivity 1.3 Benefits of becoming an ACO Certified Official or ACO Certified Official Dealer ACO Certified Officials: Make money ACO Certified Officials Earn commission on ACO Memberships sold Earn money from entry fees by coordinating ACO Regional tournaments ACO Certified Official Dealers Earn commission on ACO Memberships sold Earn money from entry fees by coordinating ACO Regional tournaments Purchase ACO products and merchandise at wholesale or discounted prices and sell for a profit Online login site allows you to watch tutorial videos, enter and manage your ACO Members, schedule tournaments, submit results and update standings, shop the products market, and more--- Everything you need to organize and run your ACO Cornhole Organization. NEW FOR ACO 13: Anticipated release February of 2018 the ACO will be releasing its own bracket software-introducing ACO Bracketeer! ACO Bracketeer is modeled after Brackelope, the most widely used and efficient tournament software ACO Bracketeer will be connected directly to the ACO database of players Choose players from the ACO database to add to your tourney ACO Bracketeer will seed your Regional, build your bracket, and tell you which games to call on which courts. It ll make running a tournament a snap At the conclusion of your bracket, hit submit, and ACO Bracketeer will enter your results for you. No more going home after your tourney and entering results. With the new data collected by ACO Bracketeer, we ll be able to provide cool new stats for players It will keep track and display each player s head-to-head match-ups for the whole season on their profile page. More Features: ACO Certified Official FaceBook Group The CO Facebook Group is a private group only for Certified Officials. This is where most of our communication takes place. We discuss issues, vote on items, ask questions, and more. You ll have direct communication with the best tournament directors in the Country!
ACO State Facebook pages When you become and ACO Certified Official/Dealer you ll be added as an edit on your ACO State Facebook page so that you can promote conrhole and interact with players within your state! Advertisement Get your Cornhole organization recognized by advertising yourself and your tournaments on the main ACO website:, the newly launched ACO Mobile site, and on our heavily trafficked FaceBook page. Be the first in your area! The ACO is growing quickly, always improving, and gaining new sponsors and partnerships. Become the first Certified Official/Dealer in your area and become established. You never know when a new opportunity within the ACO may arise! Become a part of the ACO Family! Players and COs who attend ACO Regionals and Majors know what it s all about: Meeting new people, seeing old friends, sharing drinks and laughs, and experiencing the best competition on the planet! 1.4 Certified Official/Dealer Requirements: Certified Officials/Dealers must have or create a PayPal account. All Certified Official/Dealer purchases throughout the season will be processed through the Certified Official/ Dealer login site with PayPal. Sign up for a free account at PayPal.com Certified Officials/Dealers must have a computer, internet access, and a working knowledge of email and basic programs. Much of the Certified Official/Dealer s responsibility is to manage their Organization through the Certified Official/Dealer Login Site by entering Membership info and Tournament Results, and scheduling Regional tournaments. Training in these processes will be provided through video training, but prior knowledge of computer basics is essential and required. Certified Officials/Dealers must have or create a FaceBook profile. Much of the communication between the ACO and Certified Officials/Dealers is done through the Certified Officials/Dealers private page on Facebook. IMPORTANT NOTE: All new ACO Certified Officials will be required to enter 7 new ACO World Members before coordinating their 2nd Regional tournament. You may schedule and coordinate your 1st Regional tournament before signing up new Members, using the 1st Regional to attract players, promote, and sign-up Members the day of. However, the login system will automatically require that 7 new Members are added to the system before it allows you to schedule a 2nd Regional. 1.5 Territory Exclusivity ACO Certified Official Dealers Only All Certified Official Dealers maintain an area of exclusivity, in which no additional Certified Officials will be added, and no other Certified Officials will be permitted to coordinate ACO Regional tournaments. Guidelines During registration, the new Certified Official Dealer will be asked to name their home base zip code The home base zip code is not required to be affiliated with a home address, venue address, tournament address, etc. The only restriction is that it may not already be claimed by another CO Dealer No other Certified Officials/Dealers will be permitted to coordinate Regional tournaments within the home base zip code Certified Official Dealers who wish to renew for the following season will be given the right of first refusal on all previously claimed zip codes. Certified Official Dealers will have until July 1st to renew. After that time, all zip codes will be reclassified as open. Certified Official Dealers may acquire additional zip codes to add to their existing zip codes and/or zip codes in an entirely new area by purchasing additional New Certified Official Dealers Packages IMPORTANT NOTE: For each new territory acquired, the CO Group must coordinate Regional tournaments in six separate months during the course of the season & add 15 new members.
1.6 How to become a new ACO Certified Official 1.8 I ve Been Certified! Now what? It s simple and FREE! Just complete the ACO Certified Official steps on. The website will walk you through the steps! Will be added to our online directory of ACO Certified Officials/ Dealers The steps include: 1. Completing and submitting your ACO Certified Official Application/NDA 2. Finding an open zip code to coordinate events 3. Completing and submitting your ACO Certified Official Exam 4. Completing and submitting the final info form 5. Congratulations! You are an ACO Certified Official! Once your certification has been approved, your Group: Will be added to the private ACO Certified Official Facebook Group page. The FB Group is a forum exclusively for COs to ask questions, interact with other COs from around the country, vote on issues, receive early notifications, and more. Will be set up as an Organization in the ACO Members Login site Training on all processes are provided through online video tutorials. When you login in for the first time as a Certified Official, go to the Tools tab and click on video #1 1.7 How to become an ACO Certified Official Dealer Host Masters Series Regional tournaments It s also simple! Sell ACO Memberships Once you complete the ACO Certified Official steps above and receive your ACO Login credentials, you visit the ACO Market and purchase the ACO Certified Official Dealer package for $250 Directions on this process are also available in the ACO Video Tutorial Library in the ACO login site NOTE: Updated Training Videos will be added to the ACO Login Site on an ongoing basis IMPORTANT NOTES: Each Group can have an unlimited number of Certified Officials. To add a Certified Official to your group, simply have the new CO go through the Certified Official steps on and list your organization as the group they will be joining on the final info page ACO Certified Officials are now eligible to: ACO Certified Officials Dealers are now eligible to: Host Masters Series Regional tournaments Sell ACO Memberships Purchase ACO Products and Merchandise at wholesale or discounted prices Recruit other new Certified Officials Purchase Regional tournaments at a discounted price Sell ACO Sponsorships Be contracted to run various ACO Corporate activities ACO Certification will be valid through July 31st, 2018
CHAPTER 2 ACO MEMBERSHIP 2.1 Types of the ACO Memberships 2.3 How to become an ACO-PRO player There are two levels of ACO Membership: ACO-PRO status is only achievable through World Singles play. To achieve ACO-PRO status, a player needs to accomplish one of the following goals: ACO World Membership = $25 fee for players Allows participation in World Singles, World Doubles, World Seniors, World Womens, World Juniors, Social Singles, Social Doubles, Coed, Mini Boards, and Frame Games NOTE: ACO-PRO players are not permitted to participate in Social Singles or Social Doubles ACO Social Membership = FREE for players Allows participation in Social Singles, Social Doubles, Coed, Mini Boards, and Frame Games NOTE: ACO Social Memberships must be entered online by the 1. Finish ACO 13 ranked in the top 80 of the ACO World Singles Standings 2. Finish in the Top 96 in World Singles at the ACO World Championships of Cornhole 13 Players who achieve ACO-PRO status are: Eligible to purchase an ACO-PRO Jersey Eligible for ACO-PRO Only Invitational tournaments or Events that may arise player. Visit play.americancornhole.com on your mobile device IMPORTANT NOTES: 2.2 ACO Membership benefits ACO World Members: Receive an ACO Membership Card with Membership Number and welcome letter in the mail Are added to all eligible online ACO Standings lists Are eligible to earn ACO World Standings points at ACO Regionals and ACO Majors Receive access the ACO Members Login Site which allows them to view their own Season stats and manage their player profile Are eligible to be invited to compete in the ACO World Championships of Cornhole 13 Are Cornyforty eligible Once a player achieves ACO-PRO status, they will retain an active status for the following 2 Seasons Players who achieved ACO-PRO status at any time in the past may be subject to Slyder tournament and/or other tourney or divisional restrictions ACO World Singles Champions will receive: Lifetime ACO-PRO status Lifetime ACO Membership Lifetime unlimited free entries to Majors Are TopGun Twenty eligible Eligible to purchase ACO World Player Jerseys ACO Social Members: Are immediately added to the ACO Social Singles Standings list Are eligible to compete in Social Singles, Social Doubles, Coed, Mini Boards, and Frame Games at ACO Regionals and ACO Majors Can earn eligibility to their respective Divisions at the ACO Worlds 13 Eligible to purchase ACO Social Player Jerseys Congrats to the World Singles Champions who have earned these benefits: Matt Guy (KY), World Singles Champion, ACO Worlds I, II, III, IV, V, X, XI Eric Zocklein (KY), World Singles Champion, ACO Worlds VI Isidro Herrera (IL), World Singles Champion, ACO Worlds VII Bret Guy (KY), World Singles Champio, ACO Worlds VIII Jeff Reynolds (OH), World Singles Champio, ACO Worlds IX Jamie Graham (NC), World Singles Champion, ACO Worlds XII
2.4 Is a player required to be an ACO Member to participate? ACO World Championships of Cornhole 13 YES An ACO World Membership is required for World Singles, World Doubles, World Womens, World Seniors, and World Juniors events YES An ACO Social Membership is required for Social Singles, Social Doubles, Coed, Mini Boards, and Frame Games ACO Conference Championships YES An ACO World Membership is required for World Singles, World Doubles, World Womens, World Seniors, and World Juniors events YES An ACO Social Membership is required for Social Singles, Social Doubles, Coed, Mini Boards, and Frame Games Players/teams may sign-up for a membership on the day of the event during registration. Exemptions may apply for international players ACO State Championships of Cornhole Masters Series Regionals and Majors NO At this time, ACO Membership is not required YES An ACO World Membership is required for World Singles, World Doubles, World Womens, World Seniors, and World Juniors events ACO Invitational YES An ACO Social Membership is required for Social Singles, Social Doubles, Coed, Mini Boards, and Frame Games ACO Qualifier Players/teams may sign-up for a membership on the day of the event during registration. VARIES ACO Membership requirements may vary. See specific tournament details. VARIES ACO Membership requirements may vary. See specific tournament details Other NO Membership for all other tournaments added to an event, such as luck-of-the-draw tournaments, is not required by the ACO and is at the discretion of the CO.
CHAPTER 3 ACO CONFERENCES (NEW) 3.1 About ACO Conferences The U.S. will be split into 11 ACO Conferences An ACO Conference Commissioner will oversee all Certified Officials within the Conference There will be Conference Standings lists on for each Division in each Conference Each Conference will have a Conference Championship tournament to take place in month of June, exclusively for players who reside within the Conference, in which players will have the opportunity to earn points towards their Conference Standings and win Conference titles. These points will not be applied to World Standings. NOTE: In order to have a Conference Championship, a conference must have a minimum of 100 ACO Members 3.2 Goals of ACO Conferences To add another level of support and supervision for Certified Officials To allow players more localized opportunities to compete in a ranked series To allow players a more localized opportunity to earn prizes and titles To allow players a more localized opportunity to earn a spot into the Championship brackets or the RPI tourneys at the ACO World Championships of Conrhole 13 3.3 ACO Conferences and Commissioners breakdown North-Atlantic Conference States included: ME, VT, MA, NH, CT, RI, NY, NJ Commissioner: Katherine Kennedy Contact: kkennedy@americancornhole.com / 804-212-7470 Mid-Atlantic Conference States included: WV, VA, MD, DE, PA Commissioner: Toby Smith Contact: tosmith@vt.edu / 540-491-3616 Heartland Conference States included: MI, IN, OH, KY Commissioner: Michael Byrd Contact: goldbyrd@gmail.com / 404-803-9044 South-Atlantic Conference States included: NC, SC, GA, FL Commissioner: Ryan Labelle Contact: rynlbll@yahoo.com / 864-706-2126 Big South Conference States included: AR, TN, AL, MS, LA Commissioner: Troy Houser Contact: blackjackcornhole@gmail.com / 423-845-0558 Mid-West Conference States included: IL, WI, IA, MO, NE, KS Commissioner: Brian Jones Contact: bjonesjcc69@gmail.com / 618-779-9824 Mountain West Conference States included: NV, UT, CO, AZ, NM Commissioner: Damon Cochran Contact: cochran.damon@gmail.com / 702-523-8045 South Pacific Conference States included: CA, HI Commissioner: Ron Stokes Contact: ron.stokes@westcoastcornhole.com / 925-330-2150 North Pacific Conference States included: WA, OR, ID, AK Commissioner: Open for future development Contact: play@americancornhole.com / 888-563-2002 Great North Conference States included: ND, SD, WY, MT, MN Commissioner: Open for future development Contact: play@americancornhole.com / 888-563-2002 Great Plains Conference States included: OK, TX Commissioner: Open for future development Contact: play@americancornhole.com / 888-563-2002
CHAPTER 4 ACO TOURNAMENTS 4.1 Types of ACO Tournaments ACO Tournaments are divided into two categories: Points earning and Non-points earning tournaments: Non-Points earning Tournaments: ACO Invitationals ACO Qualifiers ACO World Championships of Cornhole The entry fee and format for an ACO Qualifier is at the discretion of the CO. Prize will be the purchased ticket to the ACO Event and other cash and prizes can be awarded at the discretion of the CO 4.4 ACO World Championships of Cornhole (NON-points earning) Points earning Tournaments ACO Masters Series Tournaments: The ACO World Championships of Cornhole is the annual ACO Season ending tournament held in July which crowns the best Cornhole Players in the World. ACO Masters Series Majors Complete details to come. ACO State Championships ACO Masters Series Regionals ACO Conference Championships 4.2 ACO Invitationals (NON-Points earning) 4.5 ACO State Championship Tournaments (NON-points earning) ACO State Championship Tournaments will crown the best players within each ACO State. The term ACO Invitational refers to any non-points earning event coordinated by the ACO Corporate Team. Held during the months of April thru June 2018 ACO Corporate is constantly working with existing and future sponsors to continuously add bigger and better events in order to reward ACO Members. Some ACO Invitationals may be open to all players, while others may require a player to have reached PRO status or to have reached a certain level of points in order to participate. ACO Invitations will be added to the Event Calendar as they are secured. Tournament format will be determined by the Conference Commissioners and participating Certified Officials EXAMPLE: ACO Rosemann Cup 4.3 ACO Qualifiers (NON-Points earning) An ACO Qualifier refers to any tournament, league, or event in which the prize is an entry, or credit toward an entry to another upcoming ACO Event. Qualifiers are open for anyone to coordinate and will receive all promotional benefits of the ACO. COs can purchase upcoming event tickets and coordinate Qualifiers whenever they choose. COs running ACO Qualifiers may receive a discount on ticket prices. ACO Corporate, ACO Conference Commissioners, ACO Certified Officials will determine the location and date of each State Championship Only players who reside within the State will be permitted to participate. A Valid Driver s License or State ID will be required State Championship Tournaments will be scheduled and added to the event calendars no less than 2 months prior to the event. 4.6 What is the ACO Masters Series (Points earning tournaments)? Answer: The ACO Masters Series is a world-wide Cornhole league in which ACO Members compete for points and prizes in Singles and/or Doubles tournament play to acquire or achieve a Standings. The ACO Masters Series is comprised of a series of points tournaments held between September and May each calendar year. A player may choose to compete in any division eligible for.
4.7 About the ACO Masters Series Tournaments (Points earning) There are two types of ACO Masters Series tournaments in which players and/or teams can earn points: ACO Majors ACO Regionals 4.8 ACO Masters Series Majors Events in which players from all Regions and throughout the cornhole community come together at one location to compete for points and prizes. Coordinated by the ACO Corporate Team Playing format at each Major will be standard from one location to the next throughout the Season Of the Majors held throughout the season, a player/team s (3) best finishes will count toward their Standings total. Once a player competes in his/her 4th Masters Series Major, their lowest score will be dropped from the list, and so on) Check the event calendar on 4.9 ACO Masters Series Regionals Events in which players compete at a local level for World Standings Points and prizes. Held once a month beginning in September (2017) and ending in May (2018) Coordinated by an ACO Certified Official in his/her local market at a location of his/her choice. Certified Officials can pick and choose which Regional Divisions they would like to coordinate in their areas based on the demand from players in that market. Certified Officials can choose from these Divisions: World Singles Open to all players World Doubles Open to all teams World Seniors Open to all players 55 years and older. A player can start the season if they are 54 yrs old, as long as they turn 55 yrs old by July 1st, 2017 World Juniors Open to all players 17 years and under. As long as a player is 17yrs or younger as of September 1st, 2016, they may play the entirety of ACO 13 as a Junior and compete as a Junior at the ACO Worlds 13, regardless of turning 18yrs during the season. Social Singles No ACO-PRO players. A singles player may only choose to participate in World Singles or Social Singles during any given month of the season. They may not participate in both Divisions during a month. Social Doubles No ACO-PRO players. A doubles team may only choose to participate in World Doubles or Social Doubles during any given month of the season. They may not participate in both Divisions during a month. Coed Doubles Division Doubles play with teams consisting of 1 male and 1 female, open to all players Mini Boards Doubles Division Doubles play, open to all teams Frame Game Division Singles and Doubles, open to all players Each month s Masters Series Regional is identified by its surname. 4.10 Regional General Rules Singles players can participate in up to 4 Regional points tourney per month per Division, either at the same location or at different locations. Doubles players can participate in up to 4 Regional points tourney per month, either at the same location or at different locations, and either with the same partner or with different partners in the same month. Doubles note: A player may switch partners an unlimited number of times during the Season. A new World Doubles Standings spot will be created for each new team assembled. For example: The team of Toby Smith and Steve Wimmer may be ranked 23rd, and the team of Toby Smith and Paula Stevens may be ranked 75th World Womens Open to women only
Minimum Players: In order for Regional points to count, the following participation minimums for each Division must be reached World Singles Minimum of 7 players World Doubles Minimum of 3 teams Womens Singles Minimum of 2 players Seniors Singles Minimum of 2 players Juniors Singles Minimum of 2 players Coed Doubles - Minimum of 2 teams Mini Board Doubles - Minimum of 2 teams Players may participate each month in every Division in which they are eligible as long as scheduled tourneys do not overlap. If tourneys do overlap, then it will be the player s responsibility to choose one Division to participate, and if he or she desires, choose another location and date to play the other Division for the month. 4.11 Regional Points Scale Singles players and Doubles teams participating in ACO Regionals are awarded ACO World Standings Points based on their finish according to the following scale: 1st Place = 25pts 2nd Place = 24 pts 3rd Place = 23 pts 4th Place = 22 pts 5th 6th Place = 20 pts 7th 8th Place = 18 pts 9th-12th Place = 16 pts 13th- 16th = 14 pts 17th and over = 12 pts Since players/teams are able to participate in up to 4 Regionals per month, so each month s points total will be divided by the amount of Regionals in which they participated, creating an averaged single score for the month. EXAMPLE: Eric participates in 3 Cornhole De Mayo Singles tourneys during the month of May 1. Cincy, OH - 3rd place - 23pts 2. Sydney, OH - 5th place - 20pts 3. Lexington, KY - 2nd place - 24pts Points earned - 23+20+24=67 Points total divided by number of Regionals played: 67 / 3 = 22.33 Regional points applied for Cornhole de Mayo = 22.33 NOTE: Don t Worry! The system will do the averaging. You ll just need to add the results. Of the (9) months in which Masters Series Regionals are held throughout the season, a player or team s 6 best monthly finishes will count toward their final point total. Once a player competes in his/her 7th Regional month, their lowest score will be dropped from the list, and so on. 4.12 Regional Schedule and Names: ACO Cornhole Classic September (2017) ACO Hole-0-Ween Classic October (2017) ACO Turkeyhole Classic November (2017) ACO Hole-I-Day Bash December (2017) ACO MaizeKraze January (2018) ACO Icehole Classic February (2018) ACO Cornhole Madness March (2018) ACO Spring Fling April (2018) ACO Cornhole De Mayo May (2018) 4.13 Tournament Format for all Regional Divisions Seeding All Regional Divisions will be seeded based on that Division s Standings. The first Regional(Sept. Cornhole Classic) of the season will be randomly seeded Once the seeding has been determined, bracket play can begin. Double elimination bracket; The CO has the option of 1 game OR best 2 of 3 in the winner s bracket (to be determined at time of scheduling). A player can come from the loser s bracket and earn first place
4.14 Regional Scheduling The CO may choose the date of the month for their Masters Series Regional The CO must schedule their Regionals on or before the 25th of the prior month. After that time, the login site will no longer accept the next month s Regional Certified Officials may schedule more than one Regional per month either in the same location or different locations within their approved territory or any territory that is unoccupied by another CO. IMPORTANT NOTES: On the day of a Regional, if there are 34 or more players/ teams registered for any Division, the Certified Official has the option of splitting the Division into two separate Regionals and awarding separate Standings points to each, without prescheduling. For every additional 17 players registered thereafter, the CO has the option of splitting again, and so on Each split bracket must have a minimum of 17 players/ teams to ensure that least 1 player/team in each bracket receive the lowest amount of points available 4.15 ACO Conference Championship Tournaments ACO Conference Championship tournaments will crown the best players within each ACO Conference Held during the month of June 2018 ACO Corporate and ACO Conference Commissioners will determine the location and date of each Conference Championship Tournament format will be determined by the Conference Commissioners and ACO Corporate Only players who reside within the Conference will be permitted to participate. A Valid Driver s License or State ID will be required The ACO Conference Championship tournaments will be points earning events, however, the points will only count towards the players Conference Standings. They will not count towards World Standings. 4.16 What do I need to submit to the ACO at the conclusion of my Event? Each time a CO splits, they ll be required to purchase an additional Regional tournament in order to add the points All submission will be made electronically in the Certified Official Login Website. At the time of Certification, new COs will be given access to video training and instruction on how to access the CO Login Site and enter data. COs are not required to split and have the option of keeping all players in one big bracket 1. New Memberships Certified Officials will be responsible for entering: Certified Officials may schedule their Regional Divisions on the same day of the month or split them up on different days IMPORTANT NOTE: Direction for splitting and seeding a Regional will be available in the Tutorial Video Library in the login site. The Standings will be updated with the previous month s results by the 5th of each month. Directions for scheduling Regional will be available in the Tutorial Video Library in the login site. Suggested Submissions by a Certified Official 2. Tournament Results Certified Officials are encouraged to submit photos and/or a recap of your Event to the ACO State FaceBook page! Give your players and Organization the recognition that they deserve! They will be also encouraged to provide monthly content for the Hole Magazine being launched Summer of 2017. More details to follow.
CHAPTER 5 ACO STANDINGS 5.1 ACO World Singles Standings Seed teams at various ACO Events The ACO World Singles Standings is the list of ACO Members who have earned points competing in Singles (one-on-one play) Tournaments at Masters Series Events. The list is arranged with players who have earned the most points at the top of the Standings. Identify the TopGun Twenty ACO World Doubles Standings consists of: A team s 6 best month s average Regional scores (any locations) A team s 3 best Major finishes (any locations) The World Singles Standings Points are used to: Position players to win cash and prizes Earn invites to ACO Invitational Tournaments Seed players at various ACO Events Identify the CornyForty Earning a spot for a World Championships ticket Identifies ACO-PRO players ACO World Singles Standings consists of: A player s 6 best month s average Regional scores (any locations) A player s 3 best Major finishes (any locations) 5.4 TopGun Twenty The TopGun Twenty refers to top 20 teams in ACO World Doubles Standings. Each member of a team earning a position in TopGun Twenty at the conclusion of the points season win free a free Golden Ticket to the ACO World Championships and direct entry into the World Doubles bracket, bypassing the RPI tournament. The TopGun Twenty will be seeded 1-20 in the World Doubles Bracket. The team finishing the season ranked #1 in the ACO World Doubles Standings will be named ACO World Doubles / Team of the Season 5.2 CornyForty The CornyForty refers to top 40 players in ACO World Singles Standings. Players earning a position in CornyForty at the conclusion of the points season win a free Golden Ticket to the ACO World Championships and direct entry into the World Singles bracket, bypassing the RPI tournament. The CornyForty will be seeded 1-40 in the World Singles Bracket. The player finishing the season ranked #1 in the ACO World Singles Standings will be named ACO World Singles / Player of the Season 5.3 ACO World Doubles Standings 5.5 ACO World Womens Standings The ACO World Womens Standings is the list of ACO Members who have earned points competing in Womens Singles (one-on-one play) Tournaments at Masters Series Events. The list is arranged with players who have earned the most points at the top of the Standings. The player finishing the season ranked #1 in the ACO Womens Standings will be named ACO World Womens / Player of the Season The World Womens Standings Points are used to: Position players to win cash and prizes The ACO World Doubles Standings is the list of the Teams (2 player per Team) who have earned points competing in Doubles Tournaments at Masters Series Events. The list is arranged with Teams who have earned the most points at the top of the Standings. Earn invites to ACO Invitational Tournaments The World Doubles Standings Points earned are used to: A player s 3 best Major finishes (any locations) Seed players at various ACO Events ACO World Womens Standings consists of: A player s 6 best month s average Regional scores (any locations) Position teams to win cash and prizes Earn invites to ACO Invitational Tournaments
5.6 ACO World Seniors Standings 5.8 ACO Coed Doubles Standings The ACO World Seniors Standings is the list of ACO Members who have earned points competing in Seniors Singles (one-on-one play) Tournaments at Masters Series Events. The list is arranged with players who have earned the most points at the top of the Standings. The ACO Coed Doubles Standings is the list of the Teams (2 player per Team, 1 male and 1 female) Tournaments at Masters Series Events. The list is arranged with teams who have earned the most points at the top of the Standings. The player finishing the season ranked #1 in the ACO Seniors Standings will be named ACO World Seniors/ Player of the Season The team finishing the season ranked #1 in the ACO Coed Doubles will be named ACO Coed Doubles / Team of the Season The Coed Standings Points are used to: The World Seniors Standings Points are used to: Position players to win cash and prizes Position players to win cash and prizes Earn invites to ACO Invitational Tournaments Earn invites to ACO Invitational Tournaments Seed zlayers at various ACO Events Seed players at various ACO Events ACO World Seniors Standings consists of: 1. A player s 6 best month s average Regional scores (any locations) 2. A player s 3 best Major finishes (any locations) 5.7 ACO World Juniors Standings The ACO World Juniors Standings is the list of ACO Members who have earned points competing in Juniors Singles (one-on-one play) Tournaments at Masters Series Events. The list is arranged with players who have earned the most points at the top of the Standings. The player finishing the season ranked #1 in the ACO Juniors Standings will be named ACO World Juniors / Player of the Season The World Juniors Standings Points are used to: Position players to win cash and prizes Earn invites to ACO Invitational Tournaments Seed players at various ACO Events ACO World Juniors Standings consists of: 1. A player s 6 best month s average Regional scores (any locations) ACO World Coed Standings consists of: 3. A team s 6 best month s average Regional scores (any locations) 4. A team s 3 best Major finishes (any locations) 5.9 ACO Mini Boards Doubles Standings The ACO Mini Boards Doubles Standings is the list of the Teams (2 player per Team) Tournaments at Masters Series Events. The list is arranged with teams who have earned the most points at the top of the Standings. The team finishing the season ranked #1 in the ACO World Mini Boards Doubles will be named ACO Mini Boards Doubles / Team of the Season The Mini Boards Standings Points are used to: Position players to win cash and prizes Earn invites to ACO Invitational Tournaments Seed players at various ACO Events ACO Mini Boards Standings consists of: A team s 6 best month s average Regional scores (any locations) A team s 3 best Major finishes (any locations) 2. A player s 3 best Major finishes (any locations)
5.10 ACO Frame Game Standings The ACO World Frame Game Standings list players and teams who have scored the highest Frame Games during ACO 13. Teammates must remain in their starting positions for the entirety of the Frame Game. 5.11 What is an ACO Frame Game? During a Doubles Frame Game, teammates will alternate Frames, pitching back and forth to each other. The teammate who starts the Frame Game by pitching in Frame 1 will end up pitching 7 Frames and the other teammate will pitch 6, for a total of 13 Frames. Answer: A Frame Game is a pitching Test to measure a player/team s shot-making accuracy and proficiency Traditional scoring is used. A bag on the board ( woody ) is 1 point. A bag in the hole ( cornhole ) is 3 points. 5.12 Singles Frame Game Format Once 13 Frames are completed, the score of all Frames are totaled to determine the team s Frame Game Score. A Singles Frame Game consists of 13 Frames (4 bags thrown = 1 Frame). Entering Frame Game Scores Singles Frame Games are administered one player at a time. The process for submitting frame games will be explained in the Video Tutorial Library in the login site Each Frame consists of the player pitching his/her four bags from one board to another. The player must pitch all four bags from the same side of the board in a Frame. Pitching position alternates with each Frame. For example, if Player A pitches from the right side of the board in Frame 1, they walk down the lane, pick up the bags, and pitch them back from the left side of the board in Frame 2. Traditional scoring is used. A bag on the board ( woody ) is 1 point. A bag in the hole ( cornhole ) is 3 points. Once 13 Frames are completed, the score of all Frames are totaled to determine the player s Frame Game Score. 5.13 Doubles Frame Games Format A Doubles Frame Game consists of 13 Frames (4 bags thrown = 1 Frame). Each Frame consists of a teammate pitching his/her four bags from one board to another. The player must pitch all four bags from the same side of the board in a Frame Doubles Frame Games are administered two players at a time with one teammate standing at one end of the boards and the other teammate standing at the other end in the same lane - One teammate standing with the board on their right, the other with the board on their left. NOTES: A perfect Frame Game is a score of 156 Average 10 points per frame = 130 Average 8 points per frame = 104 The highest Frame Game on record used for a Standing was Eric Zocklein (KY) with a score of 148 5.14 Frame Game General Rules Players/teams may perform a Frame Game at any time in which a Certified Official is willing to offer them Frame Games do not need to be scheduled in advance Certified Officials may schedule Frame Game nights if they like, in which the only activity offered will be Frame Games, or they may simply administer Frame Games before, during, or after other already scheduled events, such as Regionals. Certified Officials will enter the Frame Game scores, frame by frame, in the login site Frame Games will have their own Standings for World (overall) and Conference
5.15 ACO Conference Standings 5.16 Tiebreakers The ACO Conference Standings are the lists of ACO Members who have earned points competing in points earning events within a given Conference. World Singles, World Doubles, World Womens, World Seniors, World Juniors, Coed, Mini Boards, and Frame Games will all have their own individual Standings lists. The lists are arranged with players who have earned the most points at the top of the Standings. There will be a separate Standings list on for each Division 1 - Most major points earned An ACO Conference Standings consists of: 6-3rd Best finish in a regional A player/team s 6 best month s average Regional scores (from Regionals within the Conference only) 7-4th Best finish in a regional A player/team s 3 best Major finishes (from Majors within the Conference only) 9 - Playoff Tiebreakers for all Standings lists will be as follows: 2 - Best finish in a major 3 2nd best finish in a major 4 - Best finish in a regional 5-2nd Best finish in a regional 8-5th Best finish in a regional The player/team s finish at the ACO Conference Championship NOTE: Players who do not reside within a Conference are permitted to participate in any Regionals and/or Majors. However, those points earned will only be applied to their World Standings and will not apply to that Conference s Standings. Players who do not reside within the Conference will not be listed on the Conference Standings, they will only be listed on the Conference Standings in which they reside.
CHAPTER 6 EQUIPMENT & RULES 6.1 Rules for ACO Events ACO Rules MUST be followed during all ACO Events. Please refer to our complete ACO Rules Guide, refer to www. americancornhole.com Bags Each bag is made from two fabric squares with minimally a double-stitched seaming. The bags should be made from a durable fabric like a polyester blend, canvas, twill, or synthetic suede. Each bag measures roughly 6 by 6 filled 6.2 ACO Recognized Equipment The ACO recognizes two types of equipment: ACO Certified Equipment ACO Tournament Series Boards and ACO PRO 450 Bags Each bags weighs 15.5 to 16 ounces, approximately 450 grams Each bag is filled with plastic resin/beads which do not breakdown ACO Approved Equipment Not limited to ACO branded equipment it need only comply with the following criteria to be ACO Approved Equipment Specs NOTE: The ACO may choose to approve non-wood boards. To be considered for Approval, boards must be submitted to the ACO for testing. Boards may be mailed or dropped off at the ACO offices. 6.3 ACO Approved Equipment TIP: No bouncy boards will be Approved! Boards Hardwood plywood playing surface of 47.5 to 48 x 23.5 to 24 rectangle. The playing surface has a minimum thickness of 5/8 with cross-section backing, or 3/4 with or without cross-section backing. Each Board in a set should weigh no less than 25 lbs. Each hole is 6 diameter, centered 9 from the top of the board and 12 from each side edge. The front of the board is 3 to 4 from the ground to the top of the playing surface. 6.4 What types of equipment do I need for my Event? ACO Certified or Approved Equipment may be used for ACO Regionals and ACO Qualifiers. When scheduling Regionals, COs will be given options of which types of equipment they will allow players to bring, if any. The options will be posted on the tournament listing. The back of the board is 12 from the ground to the top of the playing surface. The playing surface should be finished - sanded to a very smooth texture. There should be little to no blemishes in the wood surface that may disrupt or distort play. The playing surface can be painted with a high gloss latex paint or varnish. The surface should allow bags to slide when thrown, but not be so slippery that the bags slide back down the platform.
CHAPTER 7 FEES & MAKING MONEY 7.1 Certified Official fees to the ACO for coordinating Regionals: Certified Official Fees: $45 per Division World Singles World Doubles Fee for Regionals includes: Ability to award World Standings, Social, and/or Conference Standings Points Rights to use ACO logo upon approval for marketing purposes only Exposure through ACO websites and event calendars $25 per Division Tournament listing on World Seniors Singles FaceBook event created in which the CO will be made host and can use to promote and invite World Womens Singles World Juniors Singles Social Singles Email Blasts Social Doubles Coed Doubles Mini Board Doubles $7 per Frame Game submitted The Certified Officials charges a player/team $10 per Frame Game and keeps $3 for administering the Frame Game Certified Official Dealer Fees: $35 per Division 7.2 Certified Official fee to the ACO for coordinating QUALIFIERS: Fees for Qualifiers includes: Purchased Ticket at face value (CO s may be eligible for ticket discounts on certain Events) Rights to use ACO logo upon approval for marketing purposes only World Singles Exposure through ACO websites and event calendars World Doubles Tournament listing on $15 per Division World Seniors Singles World Womens Singles World Juniors Singles FaceBook event created in which the CO will be made host and can use to promote and invite Email Blasts Social Singles Social Doubles Coed Doubles Mini Board Doubles $5 per Frame Game submitted The Certified Officials charges a player/team $10 per Frame 7.3 Submitting payments to the ACO Certified Officials are required to submit all payments through the Login Site Market. Video training and instruction will be provided on this process Game and keeps $5 for administering the Frame Game
7.4 Making money as ACO Certified Official/Dealers Recruiting new Certified Officials Certified Official Dealers only Selling ACO World Memberships Certified Officials and Dealers All Certified Officials are able to recruit new COs, earn an initial sign-up commission, and ongoing commissions from the COs they recruit throughout the Season. A Certified Official becomes a Director as soon as they recruit their first new CO Group. Here s how it works: When selling an ACO World Membership, the Certified Official will charge the player $25. The Certified Official can then purchase the Membership through the login site for $20, keeping $5(20% commission) Running your events - Certified Officials and Dealers The entry fee for each Division will be at the discretion of the Certified Official, HOWEVER, if any player in any Division would like to compete for points only, they must be permitted to participate for a maximum of $10 per player or $20 for Doubles teams. The percentage of entry fees that the Certified Official keeps, and the amount that they choose to payout (if any), will be at the discretion of the Certified Official Recommendations: World Singles and Doubles Divisions The CO keeps $10 per player/team Social Divisions The CO keeps all entry fees, with no payout. $5 per player/team Being contracted by the ACO to run various ACO Corporate activities Certified Official Dealers only ACO Corporate may contract Certified Officials in good standing to run tournaments and/or events when needed (Not obligated). In order to be contracted, COs must have an ACO Certified Official Jersey, available on the CO Login Site for purchase. ACO Product Sales Certified Official Dealers only Purchase ACO Products for resale In the shopping cart at the time of purchasing the Certified Official package, the new Certified Official will be required to choose the Certified Official who recruited them from a drop-down menu. If a new Certified Official chooses you, then you will receive: $50 for each new Certified Official Group signed-up OR $25 for each Certified Official Group renewal $5 for each World Membership purchased through the login site market by each Certified Official under direction throughout the season $5 for each World Singles and/or Doubles Regional tournament coordinated by each Certified Official under direction throughout the season $2 for each World Seniors, World Womens, World Juniors, Social Singles, Social Doubles, and/or Coed Regional tournament coordinated by each Certified Official under direction throughout the season $5 for each set of ACO boards purchased through the login site market by each Certified Official under direction throughout the season $1 for each set(4 bags) of PRO 450, Tailgator, Classic, or Traditional bags purchased through the login site market by each Certified Official under direction throughout the season NOTES: Directors will receive payment for commissions on the 15th day of each month Commission will be deposited directly into the Director s Paypal account As long a Director remains in good standing and renews their own territory by July 1st for the next season, then they will retain all COs who were under their Directorship from all previous Seasons Commission structure and amounts may change season to season
7.5 Product discounts Certified Official Dealers only ACO Certified Officials Dealers receive discounts on all ACO merchandise for personal use or resale. At the time of approved certification, the Certified Official will have access to the online login market which reflects all CO pricing 7.7 How to order Product Memberships, Tournaments, and Product all MUST be purchased through the Certified Official Login site All pending Certified Officials must have a Paypal account prior to becoming a Certified Official. Sign up for a free account at Paypal.com 7.6 The Fast Track Pricing Guide Below features our most frequently purchased gear to get you started. *All prices subject to change. ACO151 Blank Tournament Series Cornhole Boards $275.00 (includes shipping) ACO153 Star Logo Tournament Series Cornhole Boards $295.00 (includes shipping) Shipping/freight discounts may apply for orders of 5 or more sets of boards. Call 888-563-2002 for quote ACO-PRO 450 Cornhole Bags $27.50 per set of 4 bags (plus shipping) ACO Tailgater Bags (Canvas & Suede) $17.00 per set of 4 bags (plus shipping)
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