Simon John Mariani, a 28-year-old golfer from central New Jersey, died on Monday after being struck by lightning during a golf tournament at the Ballyowen Golf Course on July 8. The incident happened while Mariani was playing the 15th hole, and despite immediate CPR efforts from his father and other golfers, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. The New York Post reported that the death was unexpected, and the story has since sparked conversations about lightning safety in recreational settings.
According to a statement from the New York Post, Mariani was playing in an all-day tournament when dark clouds rolled in and a sudden storm struck. A fellow golfer, Brian Delia, who was nearby, filmed the quickly developing storm before the lightning hit. Delia, who said he was 300 yards from the strike, captured the moment on video and later said he immediately ended the recording and told the group to return to the clubhouse, according to ABC 7 New York. “I started filming, and he was right in front of me, and all of a sudden the lightning strikes,” he told the news outlet. “We immediately just started heading back to the clubhouse.”
The lightning struck Mariani directly while he was on the course. Following the incident, his father stepped in to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and other golfers administered CPR until emergency services arrived. Despite their efforts, Mariani did not survive the injuries and was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Crystal Springs Resort, which owns and operates the Ballyowen Golf Course, said storm conditions developed quickly on the day of the incident. Staff were instructed to sound an alarm to warn golfers to seek shelter before the storm arrived, but Delia said his group did not hear it. A resort spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the family had requested that no information be released about the incident, and the resort continues to respect their wishes.
Mariani, who had recently earned a master’s degree in finance from the University of Notre Dame, was working as an associate at MTS Health Partners in New York City at the time of the incident. He was described as a family-oriented individual who enjoyed activities such as painting, photography, baking, and the outdoors, with a particular love for golfing, hiking, and skiing. He also had a passion for the beach, boating, and fishing.
His survival is mourned by his parents and his two sisters, who are now left to grieve the loss of their brother. His death has joined a growing list of recent fatalities caused by lightning strikes. Recent victims include an Olympic medalist and a Texas father of three, further underscoring the potential danger of golf and other outdoor activities during severe weather. Authorities are now emphasizing the importance of lightning safety, especially during outdoor events and recreational activities.