Golfer struck by lightning in Hardyston, medevaced to hospital

One golfer told News 12 he was on the fourth tee just before 2 p.m. filming a funnel cloud when lightning struck about 300 yards away.

News 12 Staff

Jul 9, 2025, 4:42 PM

Updated 6 hr ago

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A man was struck by lightning while golfing in Sussex County Tuesday afternoon.
It happened at the Ballyowen Golf Course in Hardyston, where police say 28-year-old Simon Mariani, of Franklin Lakes, was hit and medevaced to the hospital. His condition has not been released.
One golfer told News 12 he was on the fourth tee just before 2 p.m. filming a funnel cloud when lightning struck about 300 yards away.
“We immediately just bolted off the course, ran into the clubhouse, and then that’s when we saw the police coming,” says Brian Delia, of Oakridge.
Shortly after, course staff began sounding an alarm, but the golfer said it was barely audible.
“It was like a small little bullhorn… it wasn’t even that loud. I don’t even think most people heard it,” Delia said, adding that lightning had been flashing for 30 minutes before the strike.
Fellow golfers and an off-duty firefighter jumped into action to perform CPR on Mariani before emergency crews arrived.
Some players believe the course should have been cleared much earlier.