Tumbling off the spectacular Thracian Cliffs golf course and into the Black Sea is not the only concern for competitors, caddies, officials and spectators involved with the Volvo World Match-Play Championship.

The European Tour has posted a notice (see photograph) warning of the danger of venomous snakes, in particular ‘white headed snakes with zigzags on their backs’.

The snake is known as  Ursini’s Viper, or Orsini’s Viper, or Meadow Viper (Vipera ursinii)

This snake is found in south-eastern France, central Italy, west Balkans (former Yugoslavia), northern Greece, Albania, Romania, Hungary, Germany and here in Bulgaria.

It is said to inhabit meadows, grassy fields, farmlands or rocky hillsides just as we have here at Thracian Cliffs.

Ursini’s Viper has the same coloration and dorsal zigzag pattern as the Common Adder and Long-nosed Adder. This little snake – 45 to 90 cm or 18 to 36 inches – is known to have an irritable disposition. It will readily strike when approached. It has an haemotoxic venom which is quite potent and has an irritable disposition. It will readily strike when approached. It has an haemotoxic venom which is quite potent and has caused human deaths, though on rare occasions.

In fact,www.golfbytourmiss.com Bernie McGuire had a black snake cross his path yesterday (Mon) as he inspected the island tee at the par four, ninth hole.

However it’s only the ‘white headed snakes with black ziz zags on it’s back’ that everyone should look out for and with the Tour adding there is an anti-venom on hand that will be administered by medics.

Beware of Snakes – The European Tour’s notice.