WEST LINN, Ore. (KATU) — Did you know that the odds of making a hole-in-one shot are 1 in 12,500, while the odds of being struck by lightning are less than 1 in a million?
For William Jones, he would have much rather preferred getting a hole in one at his country club, the Oregon Golf Club off Pete’s Mountain Road.
Jones was playing a round at the West Linn course when a storm moved through the area. He said he had just walked up to his ball when the lightning strike occurred.
“I pull up to my ball, I use my little golf watch, tells me how far away I am. I go to pick my club up and everything just went white. Last thing I remember, so it goes white, I can’t see my hands, but I can see my navy jacket arms,” Jones said.
READ MORE | Golfer struck by lightning on course near West Linn
William James was struck by lightning on the fifth hole atOregon Golf Club on Saturday, while playing a solo round. KATU got a look atthe clothing he was wearing at the time of the 1-in-a-million incident. (KATU)
Jones said he had seen a lightning strike in the distance moments earlier.
“I saw a crack of lightning that must have been, it was straight as I was looking, but it was two miles away. That was it,” he said.
After the strike, Jones noticed melted spots on his shirt and jacket and realized he had likely been hit by lightning. Emergency medical crews took him to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, where he said doctors confirmed he had been struck.
Jones suffered burns to one arm and both feet. Despite his injuries, he said he is recovering well and planned to return to the golf course days after the incident. He has also maintained his sense of humor about the experience.
“I still don’t have a hole-in-one. That’s frustrating, but I’m gonna keep trying,” Jones said.
William James was struck by lightning on the fifth hole atOregon Golf Club on Saturday, while playing a solo round. KATU got a look atthe clothing he was wearing at the time of the 1-in-a-million incident. (KATU)
Jones said he does not blame his country club for what happened and praised the staff for supporting him during his recovery.
“The only thing I want to say is it happened unbelievably fast,” he explained. “I wasn’t doing something dumb. Like it was a nice, normal day and within one minute I saw one bolt of lightning a long way away and then it hit me.”
The club did not immediately respond to a request for information about its lightning safety procedures.
Jones said he has been feeling more tired than usual and has been taking it easy while he recovers at home.