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Imagine Muny Gala Featuring Tanya Tucker Raises $1 Million to Help Preserve Austin’s Oldest Public Golf Course

Asleep at the Wheel, Jack Ingram, Wade Bowen, Dale Watson and Tanya Tucker took the stage at the fifth annual benefit for Austin’s historic Lions Municipal Golf Course

Deb and Rob Gillette pose with Tanya Tucker at the Imagine Muny Gala on Sept. 10 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater.
Deb and Rob Gillette pose with Tanya Tucker at the Imagine Muny Gala on Sept. 10 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)

The Imagine Muny Gala at ACL Live at the Moody Theater brought together musicians, golfers and supporters of the 141-acre course, known to generations of Austinites as Muny. Tanya Tucker, Asleep at the Wheel, Jack Ingram and Wade Bowen performed, with surprise appearances by Dale Watson and Austin swing band The Copa Kings. A live auction helped the event reach its fundraising goal.

The question of Muny’s future extends well beyond its 18 holes. Lions Municipal has occupied land leased from the University of Texas since it opened in 1924. The Conservancy, founded in 2019, is working with the city and UT to secure a permanent future for the course and keep it open to the public.

Lee and Margaret Rigby and Julie Crenshaw.
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Lee and Margaret Rigby and Julie Crenshaw. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)
Sally Brown, Gigi Bryant and Jessica Bush
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Sally Brown, Gigi Bryant and Jessica Bush. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)
Noel Bridges, Stephanie and Erik Lopez and Marcia Macha.
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Noel Bridges, Stephanie and Erik Lopez and Marcia Macha. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)
Mike and DK Reynolds
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Mike and DK Reynolds. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)
Ben Crenshaw, Knox and K.B. Fitzpatrick
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Ben Crenshaw, Knox and K.B. Fitzpatrick. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)
Turk Pipkin and Ray Benson
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Turk Pipkin and Ray Benson. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)
Andrew and Jenny Mason and Al and Amber Koehler.
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Andrew and Jenny Mason and Al and Amber Koehler. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)
Donna Howard and Kristen Ylana.
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Donna Howard and Kristen Ylana. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)

Muny also holds a place in civil rights history. According to the Conservancy, it became the first desegregated public golf course in the South in late 1950. The organization hopes to build a teaching center honoring the people who made that change possible.

Muny Conservancy co-chairs Scotty Sayers and two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw helped open Thursday’s event. Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel, Bowen and members of the Austin High School golf team were among those who attended a green-carpet gathering before the gala. The Aggie Wranglers Country Western Dance Team performed, and Watson and Ingram played an after-party.

Ray Benson and Tanya Tucker.
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Ray Benson and Tanya Tucker performs at the Imagine Muny Gala on Sept. 10 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)
Jack Ingram performs at the Imagine Muny Gala on Sept. 10 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)
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Jack Ingram performs at the Imagine Muny Gala on Sept. 10 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)
Dale Watson performs at the Imagine Muny Gala on Sept. 10 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater
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Dale Watson performs at the Imagine Muny Gala on Sept. 10 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. (Photo courtesy of The Muny Conservancy)

If the course is permanently preserved, the Conservancy plans to work with golf course architecture firm Coore & Crenshaw to restore it and improve its public facilities. The organization says its goal is to protect all 141 acres while maintaining an affordable place for Austinites to play golf.

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