Hotel owners propose ground lease for Harder Hall golf course; council schedules workshop

Representatives of Harder Hall’s ownership and their attorney presented a proposed ground lease on March 18, 2025, that would transfer operation and financial responsibility for the municipal golf course from the City of Sebring to the Harder Hall ownership group.

Brian Sykes, attorney for the Blackman family principals, described the proposed ground lease as a mechanism for the city to retain land ownership while the tenant (the ownership group) takes on all operating costs, maintenance and capital improvements for the golf course. Sykes said the city would shed an annual subsidy currently needed to operate the course—citing the city’s 2023 financials showing roughly $798,302 in golf course revenues and $1,307,946 in expenses—and the tenant would be required to keep the course maintained and available to the public.

Robert Blackman, speaking for the ownership group, said his family had invested roughly $10 million to stabilize and renovate Harder Hall and argued the hotel project was not commercially viable without an on-site golf amenity. Blackman said the ownership planned capital investments in both the hotel and the course and proposed to retain current staff and the restaurant lease (Caddyshack), honor existing memberships and undertake drainage and other improvements to reduce recurring flooding.

Council members and the public welcomed the ownership’s work restoring Harder Hall and acknowledged improvements at the municipal course under current management. Councilors nonetheless expressed concerns about specific contractual terms in the proposed ground lease, including the long lease term (up to 99 years in the draft), the city’s long-term rights over drainage parcels and the impact on city maintenance responsibilities for other recreation facilities. Several councilors pushed for a public workshop to review the lease language, terms that protect city assets, staff retention and any infrastructure changes needed if the lease were approved.

The council did not take final action on a ground lease that night. Instead it approved a motion to schedule a workshop with the Blackman ownership group and city staff to develop a mutually acceptable agreement and to examine alternatives, timing and potential impacts on city facilities and staff. The motion passed by voice vote with Carlisle, Avery, Mendel, Stewart and Fisher recorded in favor.

Why it matters: The proposal seeks to stop annual taxpayer subsidies for the municipal golf course, preserve a public recreational asset and align the course with a $10 million renovation of a landmark hotel. It would transfer operating risk from taxpayers to a private ownership group while keeping land ownership with the city—if the council and owners agree to terms.

Next steps: Council scheduled a workshop to negotiate contract details, staffing protections and infrastructure responsibilities. Ownership representatives asked the council to accelerate discussion to align with the city’s fiscal calendar; council members requested time to review the draft lease and to resolve technical issues (maintenance buildings, equipment, drainage parcel use) in the workshop.