APEX, N.C. — Eric Perry is a ranger at the Knights Play Golf Center in Apex. Every day, he’s out riding the more than 100 acres of this course.

What You Need To Know

  • According to the National Lighting Safety Council, there were 13 lightning deaths in the U.S. in 2023. That was down from 20 in 2022

  • There were no lightning deaths in North Carolina last year

  • But weather can change quickly in North Carolina, and the state is no stranger to dangerous storms

His patrol becomes even more important with the threat of severe weather, especially lightning.

“We drive around and make sure the course is clear … if somebody gets caught out in the rain or severe weather,” he said.

The weather in North Carolina can change pretty quickly, going from a lovely and peaceful day to one with dark skies and possibly dangerous storms.

Whenever the weather gets dicey, Knights Play Golf Center doesn’t allow anyone out on the course. But sometimes bad weather can pop up quickly and some golfers are outdoors on the course. That’s why there’s always at least two rangers riding out on the course all the time.

“Most people are smart enough to come in if it’s getting bad out,” Perry said. “But there’s always a few that don’t. So we have to go out there or tell them, hey, it’s getting bad out.”“Most people are smart enough to come in if it’s getting bad out,” Perry said. “But there’s always a few that don’t. So we have to go out there or tell them, hey, it’s getting bad out.”

At the golf shop, several televisions are always on, monitoring current weather conditions by radar. There’s also an alarm system that’s activated any time the weather gets bad.

“We try to do the best we can,” said Kevin Jones, general manager for the course. “So, we do keep a close eye on it. We pay attention. I love to keep the live radar on my phone. We’ve got an iPad there at the counter where we’re checking people to show the radar.”

Part of Perry’s job is not only to make sure people have a good time on the course but that they stay safe, in any kind of weather.

“We ride around all the time, whether the weather is good or bad," he said. "We’re always out here checking to make sure everybody is safe.”