FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2026
Press Contact: Suzanne Hofmann Erickson
She-She Media + Design
The Muny Conservancy Celebrates Historic Breakthrough in Effort to Save Lions Municipal Golf Course
Proposed agreement between the City of Austin and The University of Texas marks a monumental step toward permanent preservation of the beloved 18-hole public golf course
AUSTIN, TX — After decades of advocacy to preserve one of Austin's most treasured public spaces, The Muny Conservancy is celebrating a historic breakthrough in the effort to save Lions Municipal Golf Course (Muny). Today, Mayor Kirk Watson, The City of Austin, and The University of Texas at Austin have announced significant progress toward an agreement that would transfer ownership of the historic 141-acre golf course to the City, paving the way for its permanent preservation as an 18-hole public golf course.
The proposed agreement represents a monumental milestone in the longstanding Save Muny movement, bringing the community closer than ever to securing the future of a beloved Austin institution. While optimistic around the announcement, The Muny Conservancy emphasizes that the work is not yet complete and is calling on Austinites to rally behind the proposal ahead of a critical City Council vote on November 19.
"This is an extraordinary day for Muny and for the entire Austin community," said Scotty Sayers, Co-Chair of The Muny Conservancy. "For decades, generations of Austinites have worked tirelessly to protect this special place, and today we are seeing the promise of those efforts become a real possibility. We are incredibly grateful to Mayor Watson, the City of Austin, the university, and the generous supporters helping make this agreement possible. But we are not across the finish line quite yet. Now is the time for everyone who loves Muny to make their voices heard and encourage City Council to support this historic opportunity. We have come too far to stop now."
Under the proposed amendments to the 1989 Brackenridge Development Agreement, ownership of the approximately 141-acre Lions Municipal Golf Course property would be conveyed from the university to the City of Austin. The agreement would provide a pathway to protect Muny's historic 18-hole layout and its role as an accessible public green space for generations to come.
The broader proposal also addresses future development of other University-owned land within the Brackenridge tract, including a framework for coordinated planning between the City and UT. According to the City's announcement, additional components include proposed changes to the University's Mueller property lease, exchanges of City rights-of-way, a potential Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, and a mutually agreed-upon regulating plan.
City staff will present the proposed amendments to City Council on November 19, with additional planning and approval processes expected to continue into spring 2027.
For The Muny Conservancy, the announcement represents far more than a real estate agreement. It is a pivotal moment in the preservation of Austin's history, community, and public recreation.
Established in 1924, Lions Municipal Golf Course is one of Austin's oldest and most beloved public recreational spaces. In 1950, Muny became the first public golf course in the South to integrate, making it a landmark in the nation's civil rights history. Today, the course is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and welcomes on average more than 75,000 rounds of golf annually, serving players of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Muny's significance extends well beyond golf. It is a gathering place for families, neighbors, young athletes, and generations of Austinites who have found community among its historic fairways and heritage trees.
"For those of us who have loved Muny our entire lives, it is difficult to put into words what this moment means," said Ben Crenshaw, two-time Masters champion and Co-Chair of The Muny Conservancy. "Muny is so much more than a golf course. It is a piece of Austin's heart and soul, a place where people from every walk of life have come together for more than a century. To see a path forward that could preserve all 18 holes for future generations is deeply moving. But this is not the time to let up. We need our entire community to stand together, speak up, and help carry this effort to the very end."
The Muny Conservancy recognizes the leadership and collaboration of Mayor Kirk Watson, the City of Austin, the university, The Muny Conservancy Board Members, and the many individuals, organizations, and supporters who have helped advance the preservation effort. The Conservancy also acknowledges the extraordinary generosity of the private donors whose contributions are helping make this proposed agreement possible.
As the November 19 City Council vote approaches, The Muny Conservancy is urging Austinites to contact their City Council representatives and express their support for the proposed amendments to the Brackenridge Development Agreement. Community voices will be essential in ensuring that this historic opportunity becomes a permanent reality. Find a suggested letter of support and instructions on how to contact council members at https://themunyconservancy.com/help.
After more than 50 years of uncertainty, the future of Muny has never looked more promising. With continued public support and leadership from the City, The Muny Conservancy remains committed to seeing the mission through: preserving all 18 holes of Lions Municipal Golf Course as a historic, accessible public treasure for generations to come.
About The Muny Conservancy
The Muny Conservancy was created to help preserve and improve one of Austin’s iconic recreational green spaces, Lions Municipal Golf Course. The Conservancy mission is helping to ensure all 141-acres are saved for future generations to enjoy, prioritizing public access to affordable recreational spaces and promotion of the game of golf. Muny's significance extends beyond golf. The effort to preserve the property protects a historic 102-year-old golf course, 141 acres of treasured green space that serves as a wildlife sanctuary atop a water recharge zone amidst hundreds of heritage oak and pecan trees. Equally important is preserving the course's civil rights legacy. In late 1950, Muny became the first desegregated public golf course in the South. Learn more by visiting themunyconservancy.com and by following @savemuny on Instagram & Facebook.
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Imagine Muny
For a century, Lions Municipal Golf Course has leased the land on which it sits from the University of Texas. The Muny Conservancy was created in 2019 to raise funds and work with the City of Austin and the University of Texas to permanently save the course. Once the course is preserved, The Muny Conservancy has plans to restore and improve the 141-acre Lions Municipal Golf Course with award-winning golf course architecture firm Coore & Crenshaw and create a dynamic public facility where all Austinites can both play golf and gather as a community. The goal is to keep Muny as a place where families and children of all ages can learn and practice the core values that golf teaches such as honesty, integrity, and sportsmanship. Also planned is construction of a teaching center honoring the historic integration of a legendary public golf course, and the courageous people who made that happen.
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