Ben Gregory: “The Big Hole” with Big Ambitions at Nationals

Ben Gregory, affectionately dubbed “The Big Hole” by fellow players (a nickname still wrapped in mystery), is more than just a familiar face on the UKCL circuit—he’s one of the original architects of the Ashby Baggers Cornhole Club and a driving force behind its rapid rise.

Ben's cornhole journey began like many others: out of curiosity and community. After spotting Alistair Pettitt and Dale Unwin playing on homemade boards at Ashby Bath Grounds, he picked up a few bags, gave it a toss—and quickly got hooked. Today, he’s not only a consistent competitor on the boards but also a behind-the-scenes engine, helping to run tournaments, track scores, and keep players moving (yes, even while competing himself!).

From Tents to Tournaments

By day, Ben works as a Business Development Manager at EV Cargo, a road and contract logistics company. But his off-hours are split between rugby, outdoor cooking, camping, and now—cornhole. His competitive nature, honed from years on the rugby pitch, easily translates to tournament play. And when he’s not tossing bags, he’s often the one keeping tournaments ticking smoothly and issuing cheeky reprimands to players who dawdle.

His proudest on-court achievement so far? A 5th place finish in the top bracket at the ACO Birmingham Doubles event—an especially meaningful result since he partnered with his brother-in-law Dale Unwin. It was a display of precision and power, proving that when Ben locks in, he’s a serious contender.

Looking Ahead to Nationals

Ben first joined the UKCL action at Season 2’s Bury St Edmunds event, not knowing he’d soon be helping to organise those very competitions. At Qualifier 2 this season, he battled to a solid 13th place finish, a result that showcases his improving form despite multitasking as event manager.

Now, with the Tier 2 Nationals around the corner, Ben has his sights set on something more:

“I’m usually quite realistic about my lack of winning potential at qualifier events,” he says, “but with 16 players in the Nationals and a few other names missing—I’m excited at the prospect of playing in a tournament I could actually win.”

He adds with a smile, “I want to go deep and I want to have fun. I’d be happy if I could make the top 5.”

One thing’s for sure—if he can hold off on those risky push shots at the wrong time (we’ve all been there), Ben Gregory might just bag more than a respectable finish. He might walk away with silverware… and maybe a few more nicknames too.