A golfer in Sussex County, New Jersey, experienced a terrifying ordeal during a golf tournament on Tuesday, July 8th, when he was struck by lightning. The incident occurred at Ballyowen Golf Course in Hardyston, during the Iron Man 2025 tournament, an all-day event hosted by Crystal Springs Resort. Witnesses say the prompt actions of his father and two other golfers may have saved his life.
Brian Delia, a photographer and participant in the tournament, recounted the harrowing experience. The tournament, which commenced at 5:30 a.m., involved playing three consecutive rounds of golf. Delia and his group were nearing the 14th hole during their second round when a severe storm rapidly approached.
"We saw a wall of rain coming," Delia stated. "I started shooting video of it, and then lightning struck, right in front of us, about 300 yards away."
Unbeknownst to Delia at the time, the lightning had struck a 28-year-old golfer who was on the 15th hole with his father. The golfer, a resident of Franklin Lakes, was immediately incapacitated.
According to Delia, the golfer's father immediately began shouting for someone to call 911. Two other golfers quickly responded, administering CPR while the father provided rescue breaths.
Delia and other golfers rushed back to the clubhouse, urging everyone to seek shelter. He noted that thunder and lightning had persisted for approximately 45 minutes before the incident, yet the course had not sounded any warning signals.
Delia further explained that it wasn't until law enforcement arrived that the course finally used a "tiny little bullhorn" to alert golfers, leading to a chaotic scene as emergency responders attempted to locate the victim.
The injured golfer was then transported to a nearby soccer field, where he was airlifted to Barnabas Hospital for urgent medical attention.
"He definitely died on the course," Delia emphasized. "The dad and the two golfers saved his life."
Eyewitnesses described the graphic nature of the lightning strike, noting that the electricity reportedly entered through the golfer's head and exited down the right side of his body.
The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols at the golf course. Delia expressed his dismay at what he perceived as a failure in ensuring the safety of golfers during the storm. He contrasted the situation with his regular golf course in Sparta, where he says staff promptly use horns and notify every golf cart during inclement weather. He stated that at Ballyowen, no such measures were taken until it was too late, suggesting the incident could have been prevented.
Crystal Springs Resort issued a statement acknowledging the incident, confirming that a guest was injured on July 8th, apparently due to a lightning strike, while playing on the Ballyowen golf course.
The resort's statement further claimed that the golf course had been operating under normal conditions before the storm, which developed rapidly. According to the statement, course personnel sounded warning horns to clear the course, following established protocol. The resort also stated that there was no indication of injury to any other guests.
Michelle Abate, a spokesperson for the resort, emphasized that the safety of guests is a top priority. "Our primary concern right now is the well-being of the guest and his family," she said.
Delia expressed his deep sympathy for the victim and his family, particularly the father who witnessed the traumatic event.
Despite the frightening experience, Delia intends to continue golfing but with heightened awareness and caution. He mentioned that his group had already considered leaving the course due to the approaching storm, questioning whether it was wise to tee off with the looming threat of lightning.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the probability of being struck by lightning in a given year is less than one in a million, and nearly 90% of lightning strike victims survive.
Lightning Safety Tips for Golfers (and Everyone Else):
To minimize the risk of lightning strikes, consider the following safety precautions:
- Monitor the Weather: Pay close attention to weather forecasts and radar updates before and during outdoor activities.
- Seek Shelter: If you hear thunder or see lightning, seek immediate shelter in a substantial building or a hard-topped metal vehicle with the windows closed.
- Avoid High Ground: Stay away from elevated areas, such as hilltops and ridges.
- Stay Away from Water: Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Avoid swimming, boating, or standing near bodies of water during a thunderstorm.
- Avoid Metal Objects: Stay away from metal objects, such as golf clubs, umbrellas, fences, and machinery.
- The 30/30 Rule: If you see lightning and the time between the lightning and thunder is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter immediately. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming outdoor activities.
- Lightning Position: If you are caught outdoors and cannot find shelter, crouch down low to the ground, placing your hands on your knees and minimizing contact with the ground. Do not lie flat.
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