A proposed lease of the Sebring municipal golf course to H&L Golf Group, Inc. will be considered today by the Sebring City Council.
At the Oct. 20 council meeting, the golf course lease with Pine and Palm Country Club, LLC, (Blackmon family) was terminated by council. The Blackmon’s wanted the city to correct a number of issues with the golf course property, while the City Council maintained it was a lease-the-course “as is” deal.
Council decided to seek an agreement to lease the course to H&L Golf Group, out of Fort Myers, which is headed by Harry Leonard.
The proposed lease executed by Leonard for the Sebring Municipal Golf Course property includes the following agreed upon principal terms:
• Lease of property for $1 for the first year, $10,000 for the second year, increasing by 10% per year beginning the third year and every year thereafter.
• Term of lease: 25-year lease commencing on Dec. 1, 2026 and ending on Sept. 30, 2051. Lease may be extended by mutual agreement of both parties.
• Due diligence period shall end Nov. 30, 2026.
• Tenant will be responsible for maintenance and repair after turnover.
• For the first year of the lease, the city will be obligated to pay for irrigation well pump/shaft repairs in excess of $10,000 that both city and tenant agree are necessary.
• Tenant agrees to honor pricing and benefits for current members of the golf course as well as for Sebring Golf Association members.
• Tenant shall maintain insurance in accordance with the agreement.
• Lease may not be assigned without first obtaining city approval.
• Tenant may not sublease without approval of the city.
The Sebring City Council meets today at 5:30 p.m., City Hall, 368 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring.