In Spring of 2023, the PGA of America in partnership with Omni Hotels unveiled their new $500M development in Frisco, Texas. The development includes two 18-hole golf courses, a 10-hole par-3 short course, and a 500-room Omni Resort. With such a large campus sitting at 660 acres, there are a few challenges that arise in terms of keeping visitors, golfers, and maintenance crew safe from severe weather.

The PGA of America has named Perry Weather as its official weather safety platform, setting a new standard in member experience and safety for all PGA sections. Perry Weather keeps golfers and PGA staff in the know when weather conditions may affect the course experience, and it does so in the background without needing to monitor the weather manually.

“Perry Weather gives me the confidence in my role because it’s doing the work behind the scene for me where I don’t have to think of it constantly. It’s such an important aspect of how we manage the facility day to day.”

Paul Earnest, Director of Golf & Operations, PGA Frisco

Automatically alerting members when lightning is detected nearby

As the Director of Golf, member experience is top of mind for Paul. At any given moment, the course can have a large number of players, caddies, and maintenance crew occupying it. When severe weather is in the area, it is essential to have a method of communicating to everyone, letting them know to seek shelter.

Perry Weather detects lightning strikes with precision utilizing the National Lightning Detection Network, the same lightning network used by NASA and the US Coast Guard. Once a lightning strike is detected, Perry Weather notifies everyone in multiple ways to ensure everyone’s safety:

• Instant text messages and push notifications – as soon as a lightning strike is detected, the system automatically sends out text messages and push notifications to Perry Weather users
• Audible siren – Perry Weather signals a loud audible siren sound via the outdoor warning system that can be heard from 1500 feet away letting everyone know lightning is in the area and to seek shelter.
• Visible strobe light – For those that may not have been present for the initial siren or are hearing impaired, a bright visible strobe light flashes, letting everyone in the area know it’s time to seek shelter that flashes for the duration of the delay
• In-app lightning delay alert – From the Perry Weather mobile app, users can clearly view if they are in a lightning delay. Members can view the Perry Weather widget via the member app or website, seeing the same information as PGA Frisco.

How Perry Weather’s countdown timer decreases uncertainty around lightning delays

Notifying people when they need to shelter helps initially, but the question of how long the delay will last still remains. Perry Weather helps clear up the confusion with its lightning countdown timer. 

Starting at 20 minutes, the timer begins counting down once it detects the first strike. If a strike is detected during the course of the countdown, the timer will restart. Once no further strikes are detected, Perry Weather gives an all-clear signal, letting everyone know that it is safe to return to the course.

“We have three ranges of lightning monitoring at 10 miles, 20 miles and 30 mile. Each of them has their own clock that resets with each new lightning strike within those zones. And it really helps determine not only where it is but the severity and how long it might linger.”

Paul Earnest, Director of Golf & Operations, PGA Frisco

In addition to Perry Weather users, golfers can also view the lightning countdown live through the Perry Weather widget available via the member app. This clears up much of the impatience and uncertainty around weather delays, providing a better member experience at PGA Frisco.

Perry Weather as a valuable tool for tournaments & events

PGA didn’t only choose to partner with Perry Weather for their lightning detection and alerts. Perry Weather also proves to be a valuable resource for outdoor golf events such as tournaments. The system provides valuable tools that help the staff better plan ahead and operate the events on the day of.

24/7 meteorologist support

Omni PGA Frisco can reach out to Perry Weather meteorologist ahead of an upcoming outdoor event to get a custom forecast. This can help plan tee times so that members aren’t left impatient, waiting on the rain or a severe weather delay. In the midst of a storm or on a bright, clear day, Perry Weather meteorologists are available 24/7 to answer any questions regarding the weather.

Text-to-speech PA functionality

In the case of a shotgun tournament, PGA Frisco can even use the PA system to start the tournament at every hole at the same time. Using the text-to-speech function, the PA system can send any other important messages that may need to be heard by the members such as schedule changes or general announcements.

Perry Weather Widget

Members can monitor important weather conditions that can affect the way that they play through the Perry Weather widget on their member app. The widget displays accurate windspeed, temperature, and rainfall data sourced from the onsite weather station. They can also monitor how much time may be left in a severe weather delay.

Perry Weather continues to be a valuable system and partnership for PGA of America at Omni PGA Frisco not only for the safety of guests but also for the betterment of the member experience. From accurate and reliable lightning alerts to a suite of features strengthening the communication between members and staff, Perry Weather has seamlessly integrated into the operations of PGA Frisco.