Florida golf course assault case heads to 'stand your ground' hearing

ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida man allegedly attacked on a golf course nearly two years ago is pushing for the case to go to trial, while the accused claims he acted in self-defense.

The incident occurred in April 2023 on a golf cart path at the Harbor Hills Golf Course in Lady Lake, where Joe Sivak and his wife were walking. They encountered Leesburg dentist Dr. Eddie Orobitg and his son, who were playing golf. 

According to deputies, Orobitg confronted the couple about walking on the path and then allegedly spit at Sivak before hitting him multiple times with his hands and a golf club.

"At that point, I thought I was going to die or was dead," Sivak said.

Sivak sustained five broken ribs, facial fractures, and nerve damage. "I live with chronic pain," he added.

What prompted the alleged golf course attack?

The backstory:

Dentist Eddie Orobitg, then 52, was golfing with his son when he reportedly became enraged after spotting Joseph Sivak, a physician, and his wife walking on the golf cart path at Harbor Hills Country Club about 60 miles northwest of Orlando.

"It is intended for golf carts, and it is a rule of the golf course," Orobitg allegedly chastised Sivak, according to an arrest affidavit.

After the two men began arguing, Orobitg allegedly swung his club at Sivak's leg.

The melee quickly escalated with Orobitg allegedly bludgeoning Sivak on the side and back of the head with the club as Sivak attempted to defend himself with a water bottle, the affidavit says.

In a hysterical 911 call, Sivak's wife can be heard intermittently shrieking. "They just won’t stop!" she exclaimed. "They’re fighting with golf clubs, kicking the s--- out of each other!"

RELATED: Florida golf course assault case heads to 'stand your ground' hearing

Lake County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived and found Sivak covered in blood, and "it appeared his ear lobe was ripped," the document alleges. Sivak suffered broken ribs and a fractured cheekbone and required stitches to repair his ear. 

Deputies questioned Orobitg, who offered a different version of the confrontation. He told authorities he had asked the couple to get out of the way, and Sivak got in his face, shoved him then spat on him. 

Sivak, the dentist alleged, struck him in the face with a water bottle, then "attempted to take his golf clubs," which he thought he was going to use to beat his son. 

He only smacked the doctor's leg in self-defense, he said. But the doctor's wife and the boy said the brawl erupted after Orobitg spat in Sivak's face first.

Orobitg, who served in the U.S. Navy, appeared surprised when deputies arrested him, according to body camera footage obtained by Fox News Digital.

What they're saying:

Orobitg asserts he acted in self-defense.

"The physical evidence does not support Mr. Sivak’s version of events. Mr. Sivak’s narrative has numerous inconsistencies and discrepancies when compared to the physical evidence and 911 call," Orobitg's attorney, Nicholas Stack,  told FOX 35 News. "We are committed to presenting a vigorous defense that will demonstrate Dr. Orobitg's use of force was justified."

What's next:

Next week, a stand your ground hearing will determine whether Orobitg’s actions were justified or if the case will proceed to trial.

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