Recently the resort's golf carts were repossessed and questions have been raised about the commitment of its Korean-based owners, the Le Mielleur corporation.

This week the general manager of Nelson Bay Golf Club, Jason Russell, said the industry wanted to see the Salamander Bay resort return to its former strength.

But with Newcastle Golf Club opening its doors to more visitors in recent years and Pacific Dunes at Medowie providing a second quality resort course since 2005, he said his club had plenty of other allies.

"There is no doubt that it's better for us to have [Horizons] there," Mr Russell said.

"Golfers like the variety of having another course next door."

The course was still the second busiest in the NSW.

"We have built our own reputation at Nelson Bay...with 27 holes we give players the option to play a different track over a couple of days," he said.

A former Horizons manager, David Creenaune, who now runs corporate golf tours, said the course had been very popular.

"Horizons has always been high on the list of courses to play," he said. "It is unfortunate that it now has temporary greens...but under the right guidance I don't see any reason why it couldn't come back.