PRESERVE LIONS MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE

By Anne DeVries

On February 19, the second annual Imagine Muny Gala was hosted at the ACL Live Moody Theater in Austin by the Muny Conservancy. The focus of the event was to raise funds to purchase the land where the Lions Municipal Golf Course is located from the University of Texas. The Muny Conservancy’s mission is to protect, promote and preserve the 141-acre golf course, a wildlife sanctuary home to hundreds of heritage oak and pecan trees.

The Imagine Muny II Gala featured a silent auction, sit-down dinner, live auction, and an all-star line-up of performers. Iconic radio host and “Save Muny” board member Ed Clemons emceed the show, which featured longtime supporter Ray Benson. The concert included Benson and his band, Asleep at the Wheel, Lyle Lovett, Charley Crockett, and Jack Ingram. The sold-out event raised over one million dollars for the initiative.

The decades-long effort of the community to “Save Muny” is a testament to the perseverance of Austinites. The golf course, which is almost a century old, sits on a water recharge zone and celebrates the progress made in civil rights on its grounds. It is considered the first racially desegregated public golf course in the southern United States, and the community is committed to preserving its historical significance.

The Muny Conservancy is a 501c-3, and funds raised by individuals and the foundation will purchase the land from the University of Texas and provide capital for renovations and the addition of public amenities to the property.

Lions Public Golf Course is a place where families and individuals of all ages can learn and practice the core values of honesty, integrity, and good sportsmanship that the game of golf inherently provides. Nevertheless, preserving this iconic recreational green space is a priority for many individuals, not just those involved in golf.