“LET THEM PLAY”: a documentary film about Muny

In 1950, two African-American boys risked their lives to play on a segregated golf course, not knowing how they would impact civil rights in the South.

“LET THEM PLAY" is a documentary film project about the history of Lions Municipal Golf Course (Muny), founded, designed and built by the Austin Founder Lions Club in 1924. It is also about the history of golf in Austin, the integration of sports and public places, its connection to the University of Texas, and the fight to save Lions Municipal, a civil rights landmark, from commercial development. The film includes Muny’s connection to Clarksville, a historic freedmen’s community near the golf course, the families that lived there despite racism and segregation, and the impact they had on the city.

It is also about how vital equity in sports has been to integration and civil rights, the history of the integration of golf, the history of those who played an important role in that integration, and what golf has taught to the those who have been lucky enough to learn the game: a pastime to be enjoyed by everyone no matter their social circumstance.

Through interviews, testimonials, and visuals with descriptive emphasis, we will tell the story of Muny, Clarksville’s connection to Muny and Austin, and how the events that occurred at Lions Muny relate to the fight for integration of public golf courses nationwide. We will also tell the story of how municipal and public golf courses like Muny across the country are serving their communities today. Courses like Rogers Park, Langston, and Clearview, among many others.

About our Speakers:

Thomas McConnell – Director / Director of Photography
Thomas is a filmmaker and cinematographer based in Austin, Texas. His production company Emphatic Creative produces visual content for advertising agencies, businesses, and non-profits. Thomas has produced, directed and edited independent films, short documentaries, and corporate videos over the last 25 years.

Holly Reed – Producer
Holly is a commercial photographer and producer of visual media for branding, advertising and business with a focus on portraits, lifestyle and storytelling. She is the co-owner and executive producer at Emphatic Creative Media, based in Austin, Texas. She has over 20 years of experience producing images, short films, and videos from the pre-production stage through delivery and distribution.

Notice

For the safety and wellbeing of our members, guests, and TSBVI hosts, masks are required when entering and leaving the building all the way to and from the conference room, and are optional when inside the room itself. TSBVI requests we take this precaution for their students, many of whom are medically fragile.