28-year-old dies after getting struck by lightning on golf course
Simon John Mariani, 28, was struck during a competition at the Ballyowen Golf Club, a Hardyston Township Police spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY on Wednesday, July 16.
The club is at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, a borough in Sussex County near the New York state line and about an hour drive from New York City.
According to his obituary, Mariani died on Monday, July 14. Mariani lived in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, about 30 miles southeast of the golf course.
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Brian Delia, who witnessed the lightning strike while golfing, told WABC-TV the victim was about 300 yards in front of him when the bolt struck him.
"We got up to the 14th hole... we saw lightning off in the distance for at least a half an hour before that," Delia told the outlet.
Delia said two golfers and the victim's father ran to perform CPR on him before he was taken off the course in a golf cart and then transported by medical helicopter to a hospital.
When reached by USA TODAY on Wednesday, July 16, Michelle Abate, spokesperson for Crystal Springs Resort, declined to comment about the incident citing the family's request not to release information.
But WPVI-TVI reported the resort released a statement after the incident saying, 'course personnel sounded warning horns to clear the course and that the golf course had been operating under normal conditions before the storm, which developed rapidly.'
"The safety of our guests is one of our top priorities," Abate told the outlet. "Our primary concern right now is the well-being of the guest and his family."
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Golfer had a 'zest for life'
A 2019 University of Notre Dame graduate, Mariani was, "driven, dedicated, smart, likeable and exceptionally talented," according to his obituary.
At the time of his death, the obituary says, he worked as an associate at MTS Health Partners in New York City.
"Outside of his professional life, Simon embraced all things family and enjoyed painting, photography and baking," his family wrote, adding he loved the New York Yankees, New Jersey Devils, New Jersey Jets, his college alma mater's football team and the Manchester United Football Club.
"Simon's love for his family, career, the outdoors and sports reflected his zest for life," his obituary reads. "Simon had the heart of a Champion."
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man struck by lightning at New Jersey golf course dies
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