Houston Chronicle

June 27, 2001

 

Family sues golf course over boy hit by lightning

 

The family of a boy struck by lighting while playing golf filed a negligence lawsuit Tuesday against the golf course, alleging the accident would not have happened had the course had lightning detection equipment.

 

Windrose Golf Club in Spring opened about three years ago and should have had the equipment, especially since Houston is prone to severe lightning storms, said John Tavormina, the family’s lawyer.

 

Christopher Brehm, then 15, of Harris County, suffered a severe, permanent brain injury when he was hit by lightning while playing golf Aug. 8, 2000, Tavormina said.

A detection system, he said, would have alerted golf club workers that a lightning storm was approaching and the course needed to be cleared.

 

Hud Hinton, president of Troon Golf, which manages Windrose, said, "We feel badly for Christopher and his family."

 

But a Windrose employee, Hinton said, suggested Brehm and his teen-age playing partner leave the course because of the weather. The two were at the 10th hole and decided to play on.

 

"He was warned that it was a dangerous situation," Hinton said. "And it was suggested to him that he should leave. We warned them and let the customer make his own decision.

 

Brehm, Hinton said, was hit as he swung at the 13th hole. One of the risks that golfers assume, Hinton said, is swinging a metal club that can attract lightning.

 

Troon Golf does not have lightning detection systems at any of its 70 courses worldwide and has no plans to install them, Hinton said.

 

The systems, he said, are "fallible" and may give golfers "a false sense of security."

 

Tavormina disputed much of Hinton’s account. A young girl selling soda told Brehm that "it looked like it was going to rain. She didn't say anything about lightning," Tavormina said.

 

Brehm was not swinging, but holding a golf club below his waist and carrying a golf bag when lightning hit the club, Tavormina said.

 

A number of Houston courses, he said have installed lightning detection systems, which cost about $5,000, and there is no reason all local courses should not have them.

 

Brehm, Tavormina said, usually uses a wheelchair, though he has learned to take a few steps. He cannot speak and requires nearly round-the-clock care from his parents, William and Karen Brehm.

 

The case was assigned to state District Judge Lamar McCorkle’s court.