From Scientist to Cornhole Pro: The Journey of Female Pioneer Yetty Irwan

Yetty Irwan from Fort Collins is one of the few female professionals in the competitive sport of cornhole. Her journey to becoming a pro is quite unlikely, as she never played games like cornhole growing up in Indonesia. Instead, she earned a degree in experimental pathology and worked as a scientist before discovering the sport seven years ago when her husband set up a board in the basement.

Irwan’s dedication to the sport has paid off, as she is now eligible to go pro with the American Cornhole League (ACL) and has sponsors that help pay for travel to tournaments around the country. She plays at local venues like the Underground in Greeley, attracting others to come watch and learn about the sport.

While Irwan aims to win a national title, she 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, thanks to Irwan’s efforts.

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. In fact, cornhole is now being played in her home country of Indonesia where Irwan helped spread it globally.