What started on a whim as two close friends reflected on the upcoming holidays after a round of golf, has grown into a highly anticipated annual charity golf tournament now celebrating its 25-year history in Southwest Florida, and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support local causes.

The 25th Annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at the Cypress Lake Country Club. Organizers hope to raise even more money through event sponsorships this year to support local nonprofits.

According to Scott Fischer, co-host of the event and owner of Scott Fischer Enterprises, the tournament was the brainchild of his close friend, commercial real estate advisor Paul Sands.

“Paul wanted to bring our friends and business associates together to celebrate the holidays and raise money for kids,” said Fischer. “One of the things that makes the Slaw Dog so special is the way the business community truly comes together to pitch in to support and sponsor the event to help local kids in need. Paul Sands was a very giving guy, and nothing was dearer to him than family, friends and his beloved slaw dogs.”

When Sands passed away in 2010, the Slaw Dog was renamed in his honor, and ex-wife and dear friend Lisa Farrell-Sands, broker and VP of VIP Realty Group – Commercial, took over as co-host that December. Sands had an award-winning career in commercial real estate, served on the boards of several prestigious local businesses and nonprofits. He served the community, believing it was important to give back.

Both Fischer and Farrell-Sands fondly remember him for his quick wit, charisma, and a hankering for slaw dogs.

“Whenever we would go out to eat, he would always ask for a slaw dog and people would look at him puzzled and ask what it was,” said Fischer.

“Paul would then tell the server how to do it right, how to make a real slaw dog. So, when we were going through the process of putting the event together, and wondering what to call it, Paul said we should call it the slaw dog, make everybody eat them, and make everybody love Carolina slaw dogs. Paul just relished in the fact that he got all of these people to eat slaw dogs at the holidays,” laughed Fischer.

To this day, dinner at the end of the Slaw Dog tournament remains a Carolina dog, grilled and topped with hearty beef chili (no beans!), creamy coleslaw, and chopped onions.

Fischer often reflects on that day just over 25 years ago when he and Paul sat on the porch at CLCC to share their passion for giving, golf, good friends and slaw dogs. “Here we are 25 years later and it’s still going strong,” said Fischer.

The first Slaw Dog Invitational raised $5,000 and in 2020 it raised a record $72,500. Fischer hopes the event can raise $100,000 in its 25th year.

For more information about the 25th Annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lisa Farrell-Sands at Lsands@VIPrealty.com or visit the Slaw Dog Invitational on Facebook.