Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational set for Dec. 14

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 3, 2022) – The 26th Annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational is set for Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the Cypress Lake Country Club (CLCC). What started on a whim as two close friends reflecting on the upcoming holidays after a round of golf, has grown into one of the most highly anticipated annual charity golf tournaments in Southwest Florida, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support local youth causes.

 

“The nonprofit organizations that this tournament supports are in greater need after Hurricane Ian’s impact, so we hope to raise the bar and go above and beyond last year,” said Scott Fischer, co-host of the event and owner of Scott Fischer Enterprises. “What makes the Slaw Dog so special is the way the business community comes together to sponsor the event, which in turn helps local children. All money raised outside of the cost of hosting the event goes directly to helping children in need.”

 

The tournament, traditionally held in December at Cypress Lake Country Club (CLCC), sells out each year. In fact, as some golfers have aged out over the years, their adult children quickly claim the coveted spot to play in the Slaw Dog Invitational. “Players love getting a day out of the office to celebrate the holidays and celebrate the life and memory of their dear friend Paul Sands, all while helping local youth in need,” said Fischer.

 

Paul Sands, for whom the tournament was named after his passing, was a dear friend of Fischer and a Southwest Florida commercial real estate rainmaker who loved slaw dogs. Sands was passionate about the Real Estate Investment Society (REIS) Scholarship Fund at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and helped to grow it. Fischer is a founding member of the Board of Directors for Blessings in a Backpack Southwest Florida. These two organizations have become the annual fundraising recipients. In addition to those two organizations, Valerie’s House will once again benefit from the proceeds.

 

Blessings in a Backpack helps feed children on weekends for an entire school year so they can return to class every Monday morning with a full stomach and an eager mind. “With more and more families facing food insecurity due to Hurricane Ian, help is needed now more than ever. Nearly 2,000 students have been displaced from their homes because of the storm and some can’t get to school where they serve meals. Generous donations from the tournament help provide thousands of meals to local children in need,” said Executive Director of Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida Cecilia St. Arnold. “No child should have to go hungry.”

 

“Nonprofits need our help more than ever,” said Lisa Sands. “Every bit of the money comes from golfers and sponsors and is given right back to our local community.”

 

Slaw Doggers work hard, play hard and generously support local causes. Donors such as David and Charlyn Veracka, representing the entire Rockstar Harley-Davidson family, have upped the game by consecutively donating $50,000 for the past two years. The first Slaw Dog Invitational raised $5,000 and in 2021 it raised a record $106,000. Fischer hopes the event can continue its record of topping the fundraising amount each year. Since its inception, organizers have raised almost $400,000 to support young people in our community.

 

For more information about the 26th Annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lisa Sands at lsands@VIPrealty.com.

 

For registration information, please visit https://www.sfe-us.com/slaw-dog-invitational/.

 

About the Annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational

The Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational is an annual tournament held every December at the beautiful Cypress Lake Country Club in Fort Myers, to benefit youth charities in Southwest Florida. Paul Sands, a prominent community figure and successful commercial real estate broker with a love for slaw dogs, initiated the tournament with a desire to help local youth around the holidays. Today, his dear friends Scott Fischer and Lisa Sands continue the event in his memory. It has since grown to be one of the most impactful and highly anticipated tournaments in the area, raising nearly $400,000 since its inception in 1996.

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