Remembering General Marshall
General Marshall passed away on June 22nd, 2020. He was a longtime advocate for the preservation of Lions Municipal Golf Course. General was essential in bringing to light how “Muny” furthered the racial integration of public facilities in Austin (and beyond) as the first desegregated public course in the southern United States. Because, in fact, he lived it.
Marshall was born in Austin, Texas on February 27, 1936. He grew up in Clarksville. From the age of ten, he worked as a Lions caddy during 1946-1952. He was paid 85¢ to carry a bag for eighteen holes (or 50¢ for nine holes) and often earned double carrying two bags. He personally saw the integration of Lions during 1950, after which he recalled: “there were several groups of African Americans who came to play Muny. I remember specifically that some had big bags and took caddies. I felt especially proud. They came from San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston.” General played his first round at Muny in 1952.
General Marshall graduated from Old Anderson High School in 1953 and was awarded a four-year scholarship at Morehouse College in Atlanta. After graduating with honors in 1957, he taught high school for nine years in Statesboro, Georgia, where General and his family helped to integrate the public school that his children attended, as well as theaters, restaurants, and local golf courses. After returning to Austin in 1966, he earned a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Texas and started teaching at Huston-Tillotson College. On leave from Huston-Tillotson during 1974-76, General earned a doctorate in mathematics at the University of Houston. General returned to Huston-Tillotson and retired in 2001 as a full professor. He was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. He coached the Huston-Tillotson golf team from 1971-1981. He was a three-time winner of the Austin Senior Amateur Championship and was President of the Capital City Golf Association. General was recognized by the University of Texas Division of Diversity and Community Engagement for his contributions to the city of Austin and also honored by youth development organization First Tee in 2018 for his representation of its core value of responsibility.
Marshall was a fierce supporter and spokesperson for the Save Muny initiative since the 1970s. He also had a love for photography and photographed many events and tournaments at Muny, where he continued to play until just a few years before his passing, still breaking 80 even at age 80. General will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him, especially his fellow Save Muny members who will continue his fight to preserve the beloved course. The eighth hole at Lions Municipal Golf Course is named The General Marshall Hole. His life will be honored at Muny forever.
Marshall was born in Austin, Texas on February 27, 1936. He grew up in Clarksville. From the age of ten, he worked as a Lions caddy during 1946-1952. He was paid 85¢ to carry a bag for eighteen holes (or 50¢ for nine holes) and often earned double carrying two bags. He personally saw the integration of Lions during 1950, after which he recalled: “there were several groups of African Americans who came to play Muny. I remember specifically that some had big bags and took caddies. I felt especially proud. They came from San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston.” General played his first round at Muny in 1952.
General Marshall graduated from Old Anderson High School in 1953 and was awarded a four-year scholarship at Morehouse College in Atlanta. After graduating with honors in 1957, he taught high school for nine years in Statesboro, Georgia, where General and his family helped to integrate the public school that his children attended, as well as theaters, restaurants, and local golf courses. After returning to Austin in 1966, he earned a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Texas and started teaching at Huston-Tillotson College. On leave from Huston-Tillotson during 1974-76, General earned a doctorate in mathematics at the University of Houston. General returned to Huston-Tillotson and retired in 2001 as a full professor. He was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. He coached the Huston-Tillotson golf team from 1971-1981. He was a three-time winner of the Austin Senior Amateur Championship and was President of the Capital City Golf Association. General was recognized by the University of Texas Division of Diversity and Community Engagement for his contributions to the city of Austin and also honored by youth development organization First Tee in 2018 for his representation of its core value of responsibility.
Marshall was a fierce supporter and spokesperson for the Save Muny initiative since the 1970s. He also had a love for photography and photographed many events and tournaments at Muny, where he continued to play until just a few years before his passing, still breaking 80 even at age 80. General will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him, especially his fellow Save Muny members who will continue his fight to preserve the beloved course. The eighth hole at Lions Municipal Golf Course is named The General Marshall Hole. His life will be honored at Muny forever.
