By Mark Wehrman EBS GOLF COLUMNIST
“Where there is thunder, there is lightning.”
Words to live by, in my opinion. This opening statement is how we live and
operate by at Big Sky Resort Golf Course.
Without the capabilities of a lightning
detection system, like a Thor Guard lightning warning system, we have to rely
on good old common sense when it pertains to inclement weather on the golf
course. Knowing your local and current weather patterns helps, but when
dangerous weather nears you must be able to know when it’s time to seek shelter.
So, I say to you again: where there is
thunder, there is lightning. If you are on the golf course and you hear thunder
that means lightning is in the vicinity. It may be 15 miles away and it may be
five miles, either way if you continue to play outside you are putting your
life in danger. When it comes to playing golf, that bogey, par or even a birdie
is just not worth it.
Towards the end of May, we had a lightning
strike that hit the golf course. The sky got dark coming over Pioneer Mountain,
which is the direction where most of the storms that hit the Meadow Village in
Big Sky come from. We had some hard rain followed by hail and a lot of
electricity.
When the bolt struck the fairway on the ninth
hole, it sounded like it struck whatever building you were in. I talked with
some team members of our golf course maintenance crew and they said it sounded
like it hit the maintenance building. If you were standing in the clubhouse, it
sounded like it had struck the clubhouse. Bottom line—it was loud, scary and
not safe to be outside.
So, I will repeat to you one more time: where
there is thunder, there is lightning. If you are outside doing anything when
inclement weather nears and you hear thunder, please seek shelter immediately!
After all, even if you are guaranteed to make a birdie, it’s not worth your
life or the lives of those playing with you.
Mark Wehrman is the Head Golf
Professional at the Big Sky Resort Golf Course and has been awarded the PGA
Horton Smith Award recognizing PGA Professionals who are model educators of PGA
Golf Professionals.
