Lions Municipal Golf Course has long been Austin's most popular course.  This is one of the oldest and most historic public courses in America.  Constructed originally by the Lions Club in 1924, Lions has hosted many notable golfers, including Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson and, of course, Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite.

In 1923, the Austin area had one golf course in the city proper – Austin Country Club.  Unfortunately it wasn’t open to the public. In 1924, that changed.  Lions Municipal Golf Course, or “Muny” as it is called by those who know it well, officially opened in October 1924.  The opening of the first 9 holes was announced in the Austin-American paper.  The headline read “Nine holes on course ready; heavy timber cleared for scenic beauty.”

In the accompanying story, John H. Tobin, the Lions Club’s finance chairman and a founding member, said the course is “one for all Austin.”  The story said the course had been under construction since June, but there was no mention of a designer.  87 years later, the designer is still in question and the subject of great debate.

One of several stories identifies Tom Penick, the older brother of legendary golf teacher Harvey Penick, as the main designer.  Before he became head pro at Lions from 1928-61, Penick was an Army road engineer in Europe during World War I.  His background of building roads and water drainage systems lends some credence to the story.

Another theory has architect John Bredemus as the original designer.  Golf historian Frances Trimble writes in her book that Bredemus, a civil engineer, was designing holes at Austin Country Club when Lions was being built and says she’s “99% certain” that he was involved with Lions design.  Others think Bredemus and Penick worked on it together.

The Lions turned the course over to the city in 1929.  Whoever the designer was, they put a premium on shot placement and maneuverability of the ball.  Trees, including oaks, cedar, and pecan line many of the holes; any errant shot that lands in the tall sticks will almost certainly cost you a stroke or 2.  Doglegs on more than half the holes require accuracy and proper club selection off the tee.  It is a course challenging for the advanced player, but it is a course where the newcomer can hone his or her skills.

Lions has had its ups and downs through the years beginning early with the Great Depression.  Forty years later in 1972, UT, which owns the property, announced they were reclaiming the land and planning to build student housing.  The original “Save Muny” campaign was born, and the course was saved.

The most famous player to step on the course occurred in 1950 when Ben Hogan teamed up with Harvey Penick to play against Ed Hopkins and Texas golfing legend Morris Williams Jr. in an exhibition match.  The story goes that the soft-spoken Hogan stumbled around the first hole as if he had stayed out a little too late the night before.  The crowd was stunned.  Then after the first hole was complete, and his team lost the hole, Hogan got a big smile on his face and lit up the course the rest of the round.  Penick and Hogan eventually won the match although Hogan stood on the No. 16 tee box and muttered “Where’s the fairway?”  There was a mound in front of the tee that made for a blind tee shot.  As a result of his comment, No. 16 is known as “Hogan’s Hole.”