Flagler Beach Commission Approves Sale of Ocean Palm Golf Course
The Flagler Beach City Commission decided on Thursday with a 3-2 vote to sell the nine-hole Ocean Palm Golf Club, which the city had purchased in 2008 for $901,000. The proposed sale price is $801,000, reflecting a $100,000 loss compared to the original purchase price.
The golf course has generated consistent financial losses for the city since two management companies took over its operations in 2015. The buyer is Jeff Ryan, the current leaseholder of Ocean Palms Golf Club, with the sale price based on three property appraisals.
Commissioners Rick Belhumeur, Eric Cooley, and Scot Spradley voted in favor of the sale, while Commission Chair James Sherman and Commissioner John Cunningham opposed it. The community’s response was divided: ten residents spoke at the meeting, with only three supporting the sale, while six expressed skepticism. Some questioned why a higher leasing proposal from a different resident, Anthony Stewart, was not being considered.
“The tenant made an offer to buy the golf course,” said Spradley. He emphasized that selling to anyone else would not be possible without including the lease. The agreement details are clear, but Ryan’s financing plan remains ambiguous. “The closing depends on the buyers certifying their financing to the city,” cautioned City Attorney Drew Smith.
The sale agreement includes a deed restriction to ensure the property stays a golf course, removing it would require a unanimous vote from future commissioners. Additionally, the deal grants the city first right of refusal if Ryan decides to sell the course later. “As long as I’m in this seat, it will always stay a golf course,” stated Commission Chair Sherman.
Some residents worry that the sale might lead to future development, reminiscent of the Matanzas Woods golf course in Palm Coast. To alleviate these fears, the agreement comprises specific covenants and easements to maintain the integrity of the property. Commissioner Belhumeur noted that the course’s purchase aimed to protect local residents from development, a sentiment shared by many in the community.
Jeff Ryan promises that the sale will facilitate necessary renovations to restore the golf course optimally within a year. However, questions about the detailed financing plans remain unanswered, raising concerns among commissioners and the public alike regarding the project’s transparency and viability.