Part of the plan was a quick expansion into other products—irons and even a line of balls—as well as a move to Carlsbad, which was not only more expensive but further removed the company from the family’s reach.

There were other problems. Callaway filed two lawsuits, one alleging that the TriMetal irons infringed on patents for its Big Bertha irons, the other charging Orlimar with deceptive advertising practices. After Orlimar introduced balls, TaylorMade issued a cease and desist order, claiming that Orlimar infringed on its InerGel ball packaging.

Although Ortiz still maintains Orlimar’s innocence—and that the courts initially ruled against Callaway—the company settled due to mounting legal bills, especially after Callaway threatened to appeal.

These developments, in addition to the bankruptcy of several major retail accounts, affected cash flow. More pieces of the company were given away in an effort to raise cash, but Ortiz couldn’t halt the company’s slide.

In 2003 Ortiz left the company founded by his father, Lou. By the time he walked away, Ortiz says his family owned no more than three percent of Orlimar, later bought by King Par.

After a glorious rise and equally spectacular fall with Orlimar, the 54-year-old Ortiz has received a second chance at his storybook ending, thanks to Bobby Jones Golf Chairman and CEO Walter Rosenthal and the Jones heirs, who had reacquired the license for the legendary golfer’s name from Callaway and were looking for a designer name to make their clubs. (Ely Callaway, who passed away in 2001, was Jones’ distant cousin.)

“Even though he had encountered some difficulties at Orlimar,” says Bob Jones IV, Jones’ grandson, “we were very confident that he had learned a number of very valuable things and that his vision for the Jones Golf Company was going to be very compatible with ours, which would be to manufacture something that is aesthetically pleasing, technologically advanced and the kind of club that would benefit players from all levels.”