BACK ON DECK: Staff have returned to Tallwoods golf resort which includes a restaurant and function centre (pictured).
ALL staff of Tallwoods golf course have returned to work, following the purchase of Tallwoods International Golf Resort near Black Head by a new owner.
The Australian Workers Union has facilitated the re-employment of the staff, whose futures were in doubt after the former course managers, Club Care, left owing them wages and superannuation.
The affected staff are employed on the greens, in the restaurant and as cleaners, AWU Mid North Coast official Mark Hughes said.
There is a much brighter future for the Tallwoods course, he said, with a new arrangement in place involving a sharing of resources and equipment between it and Harrington Waters Golf Club.
"This will ensure Tallwoods is brought back to a high course facility as soon as possible."
The AWU has been involved for some time with the staff at Tallwoods, who were left in the lurch late last month when Club Care departed.
Club Care had been appointed 13 months to manage Tallwoods for the previous owners.
But early this month (MRT August 3-4) Tallwoods Golf Club president John New claimed Club Care "walked out", resulting in closure of the course, the pro shop and restaurant.
A statement on the Club Care website said it had achieved a "major turnaround" for Tallwoods in its 13 months there.
Mr Hughes reiterated Mr New's statement this week, saying Club Care "walked out" without paying a week-and-a-half's wages to staff, as well as superannuation entitlements, in one case of at least eight months.
"Mr Sewell (of Club Care) is now being sought by the AWU on behalf of the workers."
He alleged Mr Sewell was also being sought by "other institutions".
"We have now received notification from the courts of his intention to appear at upcoming proceedings," Mr Hughes said.
"In the meantime a new owner has bought the estate and the course, and effective as of (last Monday), all staff have returned to work for the new owner."
