From Scientist to Pro: The Unlikely Journey of a Female Cornhole Player in Colorado

In recent years, cornhole has transformed from a casual backyard game to a competitive professional sport. In Colorado, there are two American Cornhole League (ACL) professionals, and Yetty Irwan from Fort Collins is one of the few female professionals in the sport. Her journey to becoming a pro is quite unlikely, as she never played games like cornhole growing up in Indonesia.

Initially coming to the United States as an exchange student, Irwan earned a degree in experimental pathology and worked as a scientist. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that she became eligible to go pro with the ACL. Now, she has sponsors that help pay for travel to tournaments around the country. Irwan also plays at local venues like the Underground in Greeley, attracting others to come watch and learn about the sport.

While she aims to win a national title, Irwan is also passionate about growing the sport. She helps younger players like Colt Kenner, a 10-year-old making a name for himself on the local circuit. This year, two Colorado high school students received college scholarships for cornhole. Irwan wants to help beginners improve their game and has even spread the sport globally, including back to her home country of Indonesia where cornhole is now being played.

Irwan’s transition from a science career to becoming a professional cornhole player is a unique story that showcases the growth and popularity of the sport both locally and internationally. Her journey highlights how anyone can take up this fun and engaging game and turn it into a career with dedication and hard work.