What's the value of a muni? On the life and death of Lakeshore Golf Course

For so many golfers, the city- or county-owned course, better known as a “muni,” is a sacred part of the game. But nowadays, new stories pop up every day of cities considering shuttering their courses for other, more profitable opportunities...things like commercial real estate, public housing, or even just an open public park that a greater percentage of the population could take advantage of. It’s natural that cities across the country are eager to balance their budgets, but munis occupy valuable places in their communities, too. They’re beloved by those who play them, they open the game of golf to the general public, and they preserve open green space. So how do you choose a side in this debate? How do you weigh the meaningful experiences of muni golfers against the economic priorities of an entire city? In short: what’s a Muni worth? We explore that question through the lens of Lakeshore Golf Course in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.