Utanian Press Agency, Release 26 January 301 AP

UPA (Utanian Press Agency)
Release: January 26, 301 AP.

Kanharan nation celebrate their own golfing legend

Kanhara had a new reason to celebrate Confederation Day (January 26th) as one of their own, Goran Rannatosu, stamps his mark on the world and wins the Lilimea Lendosan Open.

Rannatosu had never been as close to winning as in this tournament. Edging ahead in the first two rounds with spectacular six under each time. He slipped on the third day, with a three-under, such that he was only three ahead of nearest rivals Caboteniasa's Paulo Senaduro and Deucoland's Ramon Kirch. He slipped to as little as only one ahead of Seaduro, and took some very convincing putts to squeak ahead one shot of Senaduro for the day, who came in three-under, and Kirch who fumbled to one-under, and retain his convincing lead to win the tournament.

Rannatosu was ecstatic, winning not only Utania's first golfing win, but also winning a very comfortable Û2.16 million (ChC720,000). His immediate reaction was to confirm with his manager that his flight home was confirmed - he was going to Kanhara City to celebrate Confederation Day with his fellow Kanharans. And so he did, being awarded a medal of honour by Chief Motu, the king of the Kanharan people, albeit at the behest of the Chief's modernising son, for his exploits overseas advancing the profile of the Kanharan people. After this, the 23-year old gifted Û500,000 to the Peoples Advancement Fund, an educational and charitable foundation that provides educational scholarships to young Kanharans.

Golfing became a national sport when then-President Hope sponsored three golfers in July last year. This did not change public perceptions of the majority of Utani very quickly, who still held to the belief that golf was the game of the oppressors, the Uta-Decashi who ruled over them. Amea Aretesuna, especially, was victim to a great deal of persecution from his aristocratic family for playing the game he loves. He was particularly elated for the young tournament winner.

While Rannatosu was the youngest and considered least likely to succeed, he scored well enough to provide a living for himself. Now, with a win on the IGT, and a medal from the Kanharan chief, Kanharans, indeed all Utani, are starting to believe that maybe this game should be tolerated at least.