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There were a lot of smiling faces as the Southwest Florida Golf Charities, Inc. gave out $132,500 for high school scholarships and golf programs and significant charities.

The annual Sponsor, Player and Volunteer Appreciation Reception was at the Eagle Creek Golf and Country Club on Thursday.

The club is the home of the Bill Owen Classic, a golf outing that raises the funds to support the Golf Charities gifting program.

Irv Sherwood, Charities board president, lauded all those who made it possible for a one-day event that has provided more than $1.25 million over the past 19 years, with all the money being used locally.

The gift list included $8,000 for eight Collier County High School golf programs, with the boys and girls programs getting $500 each. Another $45,000 was divided among nine county high schools for post-graduate scholarships. Eleven Collier County Title I Elementary and Middle School programs, including Manatee Elementary and Middle schools, received $2,500 each. The Care Club of Collier County received $2,000. The Parkside Elementary School tennis and golf camp, provided at Eagle Creek Golf and Country Club, was funded by a $5,000 gift.

In matching gifts from the Golf Charities and the Gene and Mary Sarazen Foundation, The Education Foundation of Collier County received $10,000, as did the Florida Gulf Coast Professional Golf Management Program. Avow Hospice of Marco Island, Naples and Immokalee again received $25,000.

“Over the years, our organization has given more than $100,000 in support of county high school golf programs,” Sherwood said. “Since 1989 we have provided 118 scholarships, gifting $850,000 for education.”

Patty Owen, wife of the late Bill Owen, thanked the more than 200 people at the reception, urging them to continue their good work.

The Classic began 19 years ago with Owen and a few friends raising $500 for golf programs through a golf outing. The 2008 outing saw a record 248 golfers participate, raising more than $120,000.

Lillian Roach of The Education Foundation of Collier County said the funds will be used to provide education for at-risk students. The program begins assisting students as early as seventh grade to help them make the right choices that puts them on the path to a higher education.

Steve Eisenberg, chairman of the FGCU Professional Golf Management Program, said the Golf Charities was the only organization that contributes to the program that produces golf course and club managers. Quentin Smith, who is in his junior year in the FGCU program, was introduced. He applies what he is learning as part of Eagle Creek’s Outside Services staff.

The 20th Annual Bill Owen Classic will be Jan. 26, 2009.