Home › Island Sports › Golf
Golf charity keeps on giving: Direct gifts total $120,000
More Golf 
Share and Enjoy 
Southwest Florida Golf Charities continues its drive to help county schools and organizations that need financial support.
Through the Bill Owen Classic, in 19 years, the charity has raised $1,222,000, with another $45,000 coming in matching funds.
The charity will issue gifts at the 2008 Bill Owen Classic Reception on Thursday, April 17, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at Eagle Creek Golf and Country Club.
“We are one of the most financially successful golf charity organizations in the county and the Bill Owen Classic is the longest consecutively held golf event,” President Irv Sherwood said. The event, held Jan. 14, drew its largest crowd, 248 golfers, plus sponsors and volunteers.
The event has come a long way from Mike Ward, Joe Klimas, Jesse Elliott, Fred Muren and Bill Owen deciding to have a little golf outing to support high school golf programs. The first year about 20 people played and the event raised $500.
This year alone $1,000 will go to each of the eight county high schools that have golf programs. The charity also will give $5,000 each for students scholarships at nine high schools.
Eleven elementary and middle schools, under the Title One Program, will receive $2,500 each.
The charity matches $5,000 with the Education Foundation of Collier County for scholarship incentives to students in middle and high schools to seek higher education.
The Gene Sarazen Foundation matches the charity’s $5,000 gift for the Florida Gulf Coast University’s Golf Management Program. Another $2,500 goes to Parkside Elementary School for Eagle Creek’s tennis and golf summer camp.
The Care Club of Collier County will receive $2,000 for its Adult Day Care Center.
Avow Hospice of Marco Island, Naples and Immokalee will receive $25,000.
The next Classic, marking its 20th anniversary, will be Monday, Jan. 26, 2009.
Comments
This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below — responsibility lies with the relevant reader alone. Read our privacy policy & user agreement.
Post your comment
(Requires free registration.)