From Backyard Game to Professional Sport: The Journey of a Female Cornhole Pro in Fort Collins, Colorado

Recently, cornhole has evolved from a casual backyard game to a highly competitive professional sport. Fort Collins, Colorado is home to two American Cornhole League (ACL) professionals, with Yetty Irwan being one of the few women in the sport. Irwan’s journey to becoming a pro is unique as she never played games like cornhole while growing up in Indonesia. Instead, she transitioned to becoming a professional player after her husband set up a board in their basement seven years ago.

Despite her scientific background with a degree in experimental pathology, Irwan was eligible to go pro with the ACL in 2019 and became sponsored by various companies that help cover her travel expenses to tournaments across the country. She also competes at local venues like the Underground in Greeley.

Irwan not only aims to win a national title in cornhole but is also dedicated to growing the sport. She has mentored younger players like Colt Kenner, who is quickly making a name for himself locally. Additionally, Irwan has helped promote cornhole globally by assisting in starting the sport in Indonesia last year.

In the local community, Irwan hopes to continue helping beginners improve their skills through clinics and support. She is enthusiastic about the growth of cornhole both locally and internationally and is committed to promoting the sport through her involvement with younger players and global initiatives.