UPDATE: On Monday, July 14th, 28-year-old Simon Mariani passed away in the hospital six days after being struck by lightning while playing in a competition at Ballyowen Golf Course. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.
A 28-year-old man was struck by lightning on the 15th hole Ballyowen Golf Course during an all-day Iron Man golf competition on Tuesday. According to New Jersey’s Hardyston Police Department, the injured golfer, Simon Mariani, was airlifted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston by medevac helicopter after receiving a 911 call at approximately 1:53 p.m.
Fellow competitor Brian Delia started filming during the impromptu storm, until the lightning strikes forced him and his group to retreat to the clubhouse for safety.
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“OK, this is enough,” Delia told WABC regarding his thinking during the storm. “As an adult and as an avid golfer, when I see lightning, I’m not going to sit there and hold a metal golf club, so we immediately left.”
Mariani was playing with his father for the Iron Man, who ended up giving his son mouth-to-mouth as other golfers (including an off-duty firefighter) were providing CPR, while awaiting first responders.
“He definitely died on the course,” Delia said. “The dad and the two golfers saved his life.”
Delia also mentioned that there weren’t many alarms alerting golfers to find shelter: “I guess they thought it was just going to be a passing shower.” The course reported that there were warning horns, but Delia stated that he didn’t think “most people heard it.”
“The safety of our guests is one of our top priorities,” said Michelle Abate, spokesperson for Crystal Springs Resort. “Our primary concern right now is the well-being of the guest and his family.”
His current status has not been released.
