Amateurs stun professionals in inaugural Fairway Face-Off at Eldoret Golf Club

A pair of amateurs produced a memorable performance to upset their professional counterparts during the inaugural Fairway Face-Off match play tournament held at Eldoret Golf Club on Sunday.

The amateur duo of Elly Barno of Nandi Bears Golf Club and Kenneth Serem of Eldoret Golf Club defeated professionals Nelson Mudanyi of Muthaiga Golf Club and Eldoret-based Andrew Chelogoi 3&2, sealing victory on the 16th hole in a thrilling contest that showcased the unpredictable nature of match play golf.

The innovative event paired two professionals against two amateurs, creating a highly competitive contest that drew keen interest from club members and golf enthusiasts.

The opening nine holes were fiercely contested as both teams exchanged impressive shots and battled for every hole. The first hole was halved before the professionals edged the second. The amateurs responded by winning the third, halving the fourth, and then taking back-to-back victories on the fifth and sixth holes. Another halved hole followed on the seventh before Barno and Serem extended their advantage by winning both the eighth and ninth holes.

After the turn, the professionals attempted a comeback by claiming the 10th and 11th holes. However, the amateurs maintained their composure, winning the 13th hole while the remaining holes were halved, allowing them to close out the match with two holes to spare.

The victory was built on disciplined course management, accurate approach shots and composed putting, enabling the amateurs to capitalize on key moments against the more experienced professionals.

Barno credited teamwork and self-belief for the impressive result.

“We are happy to have beaten the pros. It was a tough match, but we believed in ourselves and played as a team,” he said.

Serem said they entered the contest without pressure, having prepared well and backed themselves to deliver.

“We played with no pressure because we were ready for the competition. We had already warned the pros that we were coming for them, and today we proved it on the course,” he said.

Despite the defeat, Chelogoi welcomed the concept, saying it had been an enjoyable experience and expressing hope that the tournament would become a regular feature on the local golfing calendar.

“It was a good experience, especially because it was the first time we have held such an event,” said Chelogoi.

Mudanyi admitted the professionals fell short of their best performance but immediately called for another showdown.

“It was a good match, although my swing was not at its best today. We definitely want a rematch,” he said.

Eldoret Golf Club captain Aron Kitur hailed the inaugural event as a major success and said plans were already underway to expand it into a year-long series.

“This match will continue throughout the year, and our goal is to make it bigger and better by involving professional golfers from across the country. We will also engage the Professional Golfers of Kenya as we plan the next edition over the coming year,” said Kitur.

Kitur also commended the organizers for delivering a well-coordinated tournament and praised the excellent condition of the course.

“The event was well organized, and the golf course was in excellent condition. The fairways and greens were well maintained, allowing players to enjoy quality golf,” he added.

The inaugural Fairway Face-Off demonstrated that in match play golf, teamwork, strategy and composure can often outweigh experience. Following the success of the first edition, players and fans are already looking forward to an even bigger match as organizers seek to establish the event as a regular fixture on Kenya’s golfing calendar.