Austin’s historic Lions Municipal Golf Course was the setting for the 2026 Muny Conservancy’s annual 19th Hole Party, held on May 8. Living up to its reputation as “Best Community Party of the Year,” this year’s celebration featured the first-ever Muny Cup Golf Tournament, along with a sold-out Sporty Sunset Soirée.
The Muny faithful gathered for a festive afternoon on the greens, where kids enjoyed face painting and balloon art while adults tested their swings at Acre Golf's trailer-hitch putting activation, Daddy Shack's mobile golf simulator, and Tito's “sink-the-bottle” putting contest.
Players hit the links early for the tournament, with Mark Williams, Michael Williams, Justin Williams and Marc Carrizales making history as the first Muny Cup champions.
Delectable eats came courtesy of Tivity, Housepark BBQ, Cisco's, and Thundercloud Subs. Marfa Spirit Co, Big Hat Spirits, Suncruiser, Ranch Rider, and Tito's offered refreshing spirits, while Boomerang, Rambler, and Me & The Bees Lemonade provided non-alcoholic options.
As golden hour set the sky ablaze, guests gathered under the oaks to celebrate the course that has defined the Austin community for more than a century. Angel White and Gary P. Nunn kept the crowd dancing well into the evening.
One of the night's most memorable moments came when Muny Conservancy Co-Chair Scotty Sayers announced that the Muny Ballroom would be officially renamed the Mary Arnold Ballroom, a tribute to the legendary Austinite who has been fighting to save Lions Municipal Golf Course since 1972.
Summing up the spirit of the event, Nunn said it best: “Anyone who could ever think they can develop this property must be out of their minds. Who would wanna do that? It’s not just a golf course. It’s a piece of Austin’s soul, and we’re fighting to keep it for generations to come.”
