'Save Muny' meets council candidates

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It is Austin's oldest and most beloved golf course, but its days may be numbered.

"Save Muny," the campaign to save Lions Municipal Golf Course , met City Council candidates Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the course, to ask them what they suggest to preserve the course.

The University of Texas owns the lease on the course, which expires in 2019. The university hopes to replace the course with retail and residences for 15,000.

Lions is Austin's oldest course, constructed in 1928, and it is believed to be the first course in the south to desegregate, in 1951.

Its 165 acres sit at Lake Austin Boulevard, bordered by Exposition and Enfield roads.

Save Muny advocates argue it is one of the remaining tranquil spots of greenery so close to downtown, and that a large residential development would choke the roads all about it.

Renowned professional golfers Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite played on Lions as children. Legendary coach Harvey Penick taught there.

Save Muny hopes the city would be willing to do a land swap with UT so that the golf course can be preserved.