A pair of amateurs stunned professionals at the inaugural Fairway Face-Off Matchplay dubbed Fairway Faceoff held today at the par-71 Eldoret Golf Club.
In a remarkable show of skill and determination, amateur golfers Elly Barno from Nandi Bears and Kenneth Serem of Eldoret pulled off a memorable upset by defeating professional counterparts Edwin Mudanyi and Andrew Chelogoi.
The event featured an exciting format that paired two professionals against two amateurs, creating a highly competitive contest that attracted keen interest from club members and golf enthusiasts.
Barno and Serem sealed victory on the 16th hole with a 3&2 score, capping off an impressive performance against the experienced professionals. Mudanyi, notably, was once part of Team Kenya before turning professional.
The opening nine holes lived up to expectations, with both teams trading impressive shots and refusing to surrender momentum. The tightly contested encounter set the stage for a dramatic battle on the back nine.
The match started evenly, with both teams sharing the opening hole. The professionals claimed the second hole, but the resilient amateurs bounced back to win the third. After halving the fourth, Barno and Serem gained momentum with back-to-back victories on the fifth and sixth holes.
Another halved hole followed on the seventh before the amateurs extended their lead by winning both the eighth and ninth holes.
The amateurs elevated their game when it mattered most, combining disciplined course management, accurate approach shots, and composed putting. Their ability to capitalize on crucial moments ultimately proved decisive.
After the break, the professionals mounted a comeback by winning the 10th and 11th holes. The teams halved the 12th before the amateurs regained control by winning the 13th.
The remaining holes—14th, 15th, and 16th—were halved, enough to hand Barno and Serem a famous victory.
“We are happy to have beaten the pros,” said Barno. “It was a tough match, but we believed in ourselves and played as a team.”
Serem said they approached the contest with confidence and without pressure.
“We played with no pressure because we were fully prepared for the competition. We had already warned the pros that we were coming for them, and today we proved it on the course,” said Serem.
Despite the defeat, Chelogoi praised the initiative, describing it as a worthwhile experience and expressing hope that the event would become a regular fixture.
“It was a good experience, especially because it was the first time we have held such an event,” said Chelogoi.
Mudanyi admitted they were not at their best but welcomed the challenge.
“It was a good match, although my swing was not at its best today. We definitely want a rematch,” said Mudanyi.