Orlimar Golf Named Fastest Growing Privately Held Company by Contra Costa Tri-Valley Business Times

Business Wire, June 9, 1999

HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 1999--

Orlimar Golf Co., which was a small, relatively unknown firm in 1996, was named the No. 1 fastest growing private company in Northern California's two East Bay counties of Contra Costa and Alameda for the period 1996-1998 by the Contra Costa Tri-Valley Business Times.

Orlimar was at the top of a list that included successful start up companies in the powerful high technology industry.

With the introduction of its TriMetal model of woods, Orlimar became a leading competitor in the golf equipment industry almost overnight. The Contra Costa Tri-Valley Business Times accredited Orlimar with taking "the golf industry by storm," as its revenues rose from $1.5 million in 1997 to $69 million in 1998.

Co-chairmen and partners Ed Dolinar and Rich Oldenburg were recognized with providing Orlimar's President Jesse Ortiz with the financing and marketing vision in 1996 that included taking on the giants of the golf industry. Ortiz began developing the TriMetal concept, which was launched in January 1998, with one of the most successful marketing programs ever seen in the golf industry.

"We've all worked very hard over the last two years to get us where we are today," said Ortiz. "Growing as much as we have did not happen by accident and it's very gratifying to see our hard work recognized."

The Contra Costa Tri-Valley Business Times pointed out that since introduction of the TriMetal model of woods more than 500,000 TriMetal woods have been shipped.

Orlimar also received honors as the oldest company on The Contra Costa Tri-Valley Business Times' list of fast-growing companies. The company was founded by Jesse Ortiz's father Lou Ortiz in an old converted stable in San Francisco in 1960. It specialized in making handcrafted clubs, many for noted golf professionals, who would make personal visits to the shop.

Using club counts derived from the Darrell Survey for the 1999 season through May 23, the TriMetal was the No. 1-played fairway wood model on the PGA Tour for 17 of 20 weeks, averaging 42 clubs per week. On the Senior PGA Tour, the TriMetal fairway wood model has been No. 1 for 13 of 15 weeks averaging 56 clubs per week.