Lions Municipal Golf Course (Austin, TX)
Lions Municipal Golf Course has had numerous golf icons walk its sacred ground over the years and eighteen of these true supporters of "Muny" will soon be honored as a "Legend of Lions." Save Muny recently closed the nomination process this month and will be unveiling the famed 18 on April 17th prior to the Legend of Lions Golf Tournament. The ceremony festivities (open to public) will kick off at 12:00pm at the clubhouse at Lions Municipal while the scramble tournament is slated to tee off at 1:00pm.
The fate of Lions Municipal has been unknown over the years as an agreeable decision between the University of Texas and the City of Austin has been unable to surface with regards to how the Brackendridge Tract of land should be utilized (Lions Municipal makes up large majority of this tract). Although Lions Municipal has been recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark for being the first desegregated golf course in Texas and is responsible for revolutionizing golf in the South, UT has expressed interest in other uses for the land. Save Muny has been making great strides in helping save this course and are hoping to keep Lions Municipal for many more years to come.
April 17th though will be a celebration again of the course's rich history. So who do you think will be honored as a Legend of Lions? Here are a few the Austin Golf Examiner thinks should be included.
Legends of Lions
Ben Hogan
He was a native Texan and a true American golf icon who notched 64 wins on the PGA Tour including 9 major championships. Hogan is of course known worldwide, but has a strong connection to "Muny" after his famous exhibition match in 1950 when he partnered with Harvey Penick to take on Morris Williams, Jr. and Ed Hopkins.
Beth Cleckler
This smooth swinging golfer has been a dominant force in the women's Texas amateur golf scene for many years including 14 consecutive years as the Austin Women's City Champion from 1987 to 2000. She is also a 9-time champion of the Texas Women's Amateur Golf Association Tournament and was awarded the 2000 P.G.A Southern Texas Amateur of the Year.
Harvey Penick
Born and raised in Austin, Penick was one of the best golf teachers of all-time. He had a monumental showing as coach for the Texas Longhorns golf team and led them to 21 Southwest Conference Championships during his tenure as head coach from 1931 to 1963. Penick may be best remembered for his words of wisdom in "Harvey Penick's Little Red Book," which is a must read for golfers of any age. He was also a longtime mentor to Ben Crenshaw.
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