AUSTIN, Texas -- Community members have gathered about 1,000 signatures in support of the current management of the Butler Park Pitch and Putt.
- Course has been open 70 years
- Austin Parks voted to recommend new company's bid
- Petition asks for second chance
The golf course has been open for 70 years and under the same management for the entire time, but that could change this week with a vote from Austin City Council.
Last month, manager Lee Kinser was filling out paperwork for her bid on a new contract with the city when she missed a signature and her bid was rejected. The Austin Parks and Recreation Board voted to recommend a new company's bid, which will be voted on Thursday.
The petition asks for Austin City Council to give Kinser a second chance.
"We have had an outpouring of people wanting it to stay like it is. I'm not asking to be chosen. I'm just asking for them to look at my bid." -- Pitch and Putt manager Lee Kinser.
Nicholas Trice works with Golf in Schools, a program that gives lower-income students an opportunity to play the sport. He said the space is comfortable for people of all walks of life.
"This has been the most diverse and the most welcoming place that we could take students," he said.
For many of the children, they've never picked up a club in their life, but this course gives them an opportunity to see how they like the sport.
"That's what I hear from so many people, 'Oh, I don't know. It's too expensive, the equipment. What do I have to do? I don't really know what to do.' We have taken care of all of that," said Trice.
Kinser's family built the golf course and has put in thousands of dollars for its upkeep. Kinser said she hopes to have a longer contract this time around so she can put in about $500,000 for some much needed renovations.
A customer started a website to help people contact city council about the issue