An expanse of green tucked into the heart of Austin, Lions Municipal Golf Course—or "Muny," as it is affectionately called—has been a cherished community cornerstone for over a century. Behind its rolling fairways and majestic oak trees lies a story of history, resilience and community that supporters say embodies the very spirit of Austin.
Muny’s legacy began with its establishment in 1924 as Austin’s first public golf course. But its significance deepened in 1950, when 9-year-old black caddie Alvin Propps and a friend boldly walked onto the course and began to play. At the time, public golf courses across the South were strictly segregated under Jim Crow laws. The boys were briefly detained, but unsure of how to proceed, the staff called City Hall for guidance. After consulting with council members, then-Mayor Taylor Glass made a pivotal decision: “Let them play.” This quiet but powerful act made Muny the first public golf course in the South to desegregate, setting a precedent that would ripple across the region.
"When I was young, I remember Dad taking me with him to play Muny not that long after the course was desegregated," Volma Overton Jr. recalled in a 2017 interview with the Texas Tribune. "There were people I knew at the course from Austin, but also African Americans from Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio who had come to play. There were no other courses in Texas where blacks had access at that time. I didn’t understand it all, but I was proud and happy to be there with my Dad."
Today, Muny is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its significance as a Civil Rights landmark.
"Austin took it upon itself to say, 'Hey, we’re not waiting for government orders. Let’s lead by example,'" said Volma (Bobby) Overton III, Overton Jr.'s son and a member of the Save Historic Muny District Board. "It created an outdoor space for fellowship, where people from all walks of life could connect."
This groundbreaking decision set the stage for change, not just in Austin but as a beacon for other Southern cities. For many, including Overton’s family, Muny became more than a golf course; it was a sanctuary and a symbol of progress.
Muny’s impact stretches far beyond its greens. For Sgt. Tim Gaestel, an Iraq War veteran, two-time Purple Heart recipient and member of the Muny Conservancy Board of Directors, the course became a lifeline.
"Golf saved my life. It really did," Gaestel said. "I got out of Iraq in 2005. The first place my dad took me when he saw I was having problems was Lions Municipal Golf Course. That’s where I found peace, and it sparked my passion for the game."
That passion evolved into a career—Gaestel now teaches high school students and young children how to play golf.
"Lions Municipal Golf is the place that really got me into golf, which led me to being a high school coach and teaching kids how to play the game," he said.
Today, Muny stands as one of Austin’s few remaining municipal golf courses, providing low-cost access to a sport often associated with exclusivity. It's a place where people from all walks of life can feel welcome and enjoy the game, no matter their background or experience.
Golf legend and two-time Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw, an Austin native and Muny supporter, underscored its irreplaceable value.
"I can’t imagine this place not being here," Crenshaw said. "Muny means so much to this community. The bottom line for me, I just can’t see this place being developed… Recreation on a place like this is invaluable."
Yet, Muny’s future is uncertain. The University of Texas owns the land and has explored development options that could erase this historic space. Advocacy groups, like the Save Muny Conservancy, are trying to prevent that.
"Once this green space is gone, it’s gone forever," Overton III said. "It’s up to us to protect it for future generations."
Muny’s significance extends beyond golf. Spanning 141 acres, the green space is home to heritage oak trees, pecan groves and local wildlife, including deer, coyotes, bobcats and turtles. For many Austinites, it’s one of the few places where they can reconnect with nature in the heart of the city.
"Sometimes we go days without setting foot on grass," Overton III said. "Muny is where people can touch the earth, enjoy the outdoors and ground themselves."
Muny, along with the city’s other municipal courses such as Jimmy Clay, Roy Kizer, Morris Williams and Hancock, also plays a key role in access to golf. These courses provide a low-cost option for golfers, with the highest green fee at Muny being $37, compared with $75 or more charged at many other public courses in the area.
"Municipal courses like Muny are the backbone of community golf," Crenshaw said. "They ensure that golf isn’t just a sport for the elite."
The fight to preserve Muny is a multifaceted effort involving local nonprofits, community leaders and passionate golfers. The Save Muny Conservancy hosts events, raises money and collaborates with the city and the University of Texas to secure the course’s future. One of the conservancy’s goals is to permanently remove development as an option for the land.
"There’s no dollar value that can capture what Muny means to Austin," Overton III said. "How do you value what Central Park is to New York City?"
The Austin community can support Muny in several ways: play a round, even if you’re not a golfer; share Muny’s story with friends, family and neighbors; or donate to organizations like the conservancy, which is hosting the Imagine Muny Gala on Feb. 28.
Additionally, Eric Lopez, Muny’s head professional and founder of the Austin Golf Academy, offers youth programs that provide free clubs and lessons. Supporting these programs ensures that Muny continues to inspire the next generation of golfers.
Entering its second century, Muny serves as a communal space, a historical landmark and a green oasis in a rapidly growing city. For the Overton family, Crenshaw, Gaestel and many others, Muny holds significant personal meaning as a place where memories are created, lives are influenced and a piece of Austin's character is maintained.
"Muny saved my life," Gaestel said. "It’s more than a golf course. It’s a home."
"Muny saved my life. It’s more than a golf course. It’s a home."
"Once this green space is gone, it’s gone forever. It’s up to us to protect it for future generations."