The Ophidia Cup

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We welcome you back from the break to SNI, where our eyes are now set on the Ophidia Cup.

This bi-yearly tradition is the largest inter-species golf tournament in the league, sponsored by Muckabee's United and the Charles Center for Sports Youth located in Rye Creek.

That's right, Amiri. Anticipation runs high this year for the cup, given the unexpected cancellation of the event two years ago. With four years passed, there's a brand new set of participants ready to stake their claim on the prize.

Quite so. Out of our thirty-six participants this year, this marks the first Ophidia appearance for twenty-five of them.

And what a beautiful course we have this year, located in the tropical Wedge Islands. Home to an impressive 21-hole course, the most difficult eighteen are set to be conquered by the end of the week. The three remaining holes may still be seen, in the event of a tiebreaker.

With six divisions, each day will have six golfers face off to win the prestigious Ophidia Cup. 

Joining us here in the commentary booth today is three-time Ophidia champion Thunder Rod! With fourteen major tournament wins, a record-splitting drive achievement of 492 yards, and two courses in his name, there may be no naga more knowledgable about this game on the planet.

Perhaps no introduction needed—for anybody that knows golf knows about the mighty Thunder Rod. It's mighty fine to be here once again. The Ophidia is one of my favorite tournaments hosted, and I'm proud to help represent its legacy for our kind.

I'd like to thank the organizers of the Ophidia for allowing me—as well as my charity—to help bring together excellent golfers of all slithers of life for their forty-third year.

It's been a great many years since we've had a tournament on the Wedge Islands. What can we expect to see involving the course here in the coming week?

An excellent question.  While this course may have rolling hills, scenic views, and expansive fairways, the holes on Wedge still hold a lot of tricks, traps, and risky shots. It's easy to grow overconfident in one's ability to play around the surroundings. Those that play too risky...won't do well here.

Given the small nature of the islands, we will be seeing a lot of coastline holes. More ocean breezes means a much more difficult fight against the wind. Gotta put your back into those swings.

Furthermore, given the small nature of the main island, many of the holes tend to run smaller. Expect to see a lot more contemplation about club usage. Many golfers are probably going to opt into iron use, instead of their drivers. Some of the cooler kids might also use hybrids.

This is the third time the event has been held at Wedge Islands since the cup's founding, marking it as one of the rarest courses for the event.

Ever since the course's formation, the owners of the course have taken great pride in sustainable practice for maintaining the green. From high-conservational watering practices, to naturalized fertilizer with composted materials, to solar and wind energies, the whole staff at Wedge Islands wishes you a wonderful tournament, and a better sustainable future. {Obvious, terrible slogan} Let's be green for the green. Thank you for your support.

It's a fiery line-up this year across thirty-six contestants—especially given the new additional sixth heat this year. Some of our highlighted competitors include Jedidiah Strong—the two-time winner of Parkaway Heights and frontrunner for Heat Three. Mallory Blackburn, long considered the best Neko in the sport, places a sizable threat this year with her technically impressive shots. Closing out our picks is Consequence Pottle, a naga coming out of West Pointe. It's their third major competition, coming off the tails of the Marooner's Bay Open.

Marooner's Bay also takes place on an oceanside environment, which should develop lots of experience for tackling shoreside winds...and resilience to frustrating, loud distractions. Pottle shows promise towards a victory here. 

Thunder, having played this course a number of times, what insights can you provide about what our viewers might need to know, or what our golfers might expect?

Well Juno, we often find ourselves talking about the "front nine" and the "back nine", but Wedge Island isn't really configured that way. Some things in this world are just built different. Instead, their course is more split into thirds, focusing on coastline, inner island, and then finishing on some of the larger water forms. 

I'll highlight a few holes in particular. Pay attention and it just might help push the next Bogey into a Birdie.

Hole 6 features a heavy left curve on the back half, which generally poses a problem for most drives that drift too far to the right—as they often do. No careless shots here...unless you like foraging for your ball amongst tree roots.

Hole 8 is almost entirely water—a careful shot over onto the peninsula is the safe option, but runs the obvious risk of an improperly aligned shot missing the hole entirely and going for an untimely swim. 

Hole 15 has two small bunkers, but their placement is extremely inconvenient on the fairway. You'll have to either undershoot, or navigate awkwardly to the left before hitting the green. Or just smack it right over if you've got the power to do it.

The last time the Ophidia was held here, Hole 15 proved to be quite the exceptional problem for most participants between the rainfall and the wind. Nobody across all five waves were able to break par. Will that legacy be upheld this year?

Every hole has its tricks and traps, though, and we're excited to see how our golfers fare on this beautiful set of islands. Nothing gets fans more excited for golfing than an excellent surrounding area, and this is certainly no exception. 

It's about three hours away from the first tee off of the afternoon, with crystal clear skies and a brisk breeze to keep the tropical heat at bay.

More heat for me! A warm vacation like this with fierce sportsmanship is exactly what I needed. The ever-so-lovely Shark Hopkins, my lovely wife at home...please don't get mad at me for having some front-row beach access by myself. Make sure our little dear Lightning has a front row seat when the golfers are on the TV.

{Pause; that was awkward} ...Our preview interviews will begin at the magnificent here in ten minutes at the landmark of Snail Rock. We'll be starting with our first heat, which will be golfing later at 2:00PM—1:00 Central. That line-up will include Jackson Wither—a human, Azure Lightfoot—a neko, Rango Depeche—a kappa, Spencer Crash—human, Harmony Blackfoot—neko, and Vicarage Cork—a naga.

Wither is the only recurring player of this round for the Cup, but everyone is new to this course. We'll get to see these wonderful golfers really work to sink their fangs and otherwise into the beautiful greens of the Wedge Islands for their layouts.

More coverage of the Ophidia will return, right after this break.

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