- October 9, 2024
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The Ocean Palm Golf Course in Flagler Beach could be coming under new management.
At its Jan. 11 meeting, the Flagler Beach City Commission unanimously approved a limited amendment to several lease agreements with Flagler Golf Management, LLC, to allow a prospective new owner the ability to take over the lease. Attorney Jay Livingston, representing KTS Holdings, LLC and Jeff Ryan, co-owner of Cure Putters, said his clients are interested in purchasing the golf course and taking over the lease.
Livingston said the existing lease and a settlement agreement between Flagler Golf Management and the city has some language that could potentially prevent Flagler Golf from transferring the lease to someone else without the commission’s approval.
The only reason he and his client felt the need to come before the council now, he said, is to have the issue cleared up before his clients move further into the process.
“This is just, you know, belts-and-suspenders-caution before we enter into a formal agreement,” Livingston said.
Ocean Palm Golf Course was originally bought by Flagler Beach in 2013, and the city later leased the golf course to Flagler Golf Management in 2015. In March 2022, the city terminated its contract with Flagler Golf Management, citing the company’s failure to submit financial statements and rent and utility payments.
Flagler Golf Management filed a lawsuit against the city for the termination later in 2022, which was then settled out of court in June 2023.
As part of the settlement’s requirement, according to court documents, Flagler Golf Management was required to find a buyer to take over the lease in nine months — by March 2024, without any possibility of extension. In return the city would forgive any unpaid utilities and return rent payments made during the term of the lawsuit.
If Flagler Golf did not find a buyer in time, the settlement agreement states the company would be turned over to Flagler Beach, and all unpaid utilities and rents will still be due to the city.
City Attorney Drew Smith said the commission could waive the restrictive language with a vote to amend the lease agreements. The commission ultimately agreed to a limited waiver to allow KTS Holdings specifically to take assignment of the lease, should the two companies come to an agreement.
The next step, Livingston said, would be to hopefully bring an assignment of lease document to the commission at a future meeting for approval.
Cure Putters co-owner Ryan said he is a lifelong Volusia County and Flagler Beach resident and has a lot of experience in professional golfing. His company Cure Putters sells golf putters and accessories.
Ryan said he and the company are looking to completely renovate the golf course and turn it into “an asset for the community.”
“We're really looking to bring something great to the city that we can all be proud of and enjoy,” he said.
