A large number of the Norwegian players have already expressed their intentions to unwind from the stressful World Cup schedule with golf in between training and matches.
But when they play, they should take care not to hit the ball out of bounds, according to the precautions on the website for Greensboro, where the city warns about potentially dangerous snakes in the high grass.
“Three Reptiles You’re Likely to See in Greensboro (And What to Do If You Do!). Copperhead snakes are found throughout the eastern and southeastern United States and are very common in Greensboro,” says the website, with a warning issued:
“Do not provoke it, try to pick it up or disturb it in any other way – it is extremely dangerous to do anything other than leave it alone.”
“I was not happy to hear this, says national team midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt, who is among those who will spend a lot of time on the golf course in the United States but will have to watch not to provoke the Copperhead snakes.
“None of our snakes are aggressive, including the Copperhead snake, but they can strike in self-defense if they are stepped on or cornered”, says biologist Falyn Owens, who works for the North Carolina Wildlife Commission (NCWRC), to NRK.no
She warns the Norwegian World Cup players and asks them to be extra vigilant if the golf balls end up outside in the high grass, where the Copperhead snake becomes more difficult to spot.
“When you walk through areas of vegetation, pay attention to where you step or stretch your arms, and give any snake you meet plenty of space”, she says. Owens reassures that snake encounters are not common, but that they do happen.
She says that there are around 40 different snake species in North Carolina. The vast majority of snakes are non-venomous; the only venomous species living in the Greensboro area is the Copperhead snake.
