Former golf pro wins lawsuit

By BETTY ADAMS

Staff Writer

The golf coach at Gardiner Area High School has won the final round in the state court system in a lawsuit against a former employer.

Ryan Madore, 31, of Hallowell had sued Kennebec Heights Golf Country Club in Farmingdale for breach of contract after he was fired two weeks before the end of the 2003 season.

Madore, state Class A golf champion when he was at Cony High School, said he was due more money. He had been hired by the club as a golf professional for the entire 2003 season. But he was laid off in October 2003 by Michael Jennings, the club's president and general manager, after the two had a series of professional disagreements.

Madore initially sued on four grounds and won on the claims of breach of contract and unfair employment practice.

A jury in December 2005 awarded Madore $10,281 in lost wages, and Madore appealed to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court seeking triple damages and money for attorneys' fees.

The country club also appealed, saying it should have prevailed as a matter of law.

The course itself has been closed for more than two years, according to a clerk in the Farmingdale Town Office.

Last week, the high court sided with Madore and ordered the case returned to the trial court for a determination of the money, including reasonable attorney's fees.

In a decision written by Associate Justice Jon D. Levy, the court found "the club's contentions to be without merit."

Madore's attorney, Sean Farris, said his client is "very happy that the judgment the jury handed down stood" and that the law court agreed he was entitled to more money under the state's unpaid-wages statute.

Farris said Madore now works in the insurance industry. Madore also coaches the golf team at Gardiner Area High School.

Farris said he expects the trial court to issue an order or to set a hearing to comply with the appeals court's ruling.

"While we obviously disagree with the Supreme Court's decision on several levels, we respect that the court has entered the order it did and the case has now concluded," said Walter McKee, the attorney representing the country club.

Betty Adams -- 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com