What began 50 years ago as a spontaneous golf outing by a group of hardworking potato packers has grown into one of the produce industry’s most enduring charitable traditions.

The Spudman Open will celebrate its Golden anniversary this July 14, marking five decades of industry camaraderie, charitable donations and longstanding partnerships. Held annually at Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, CT, the tournament is expected to sell out once again this year while also surpassing a remarkable milestone of raising $1 million for charity since its inception in 1976.

“The term ‘Spudman’ was what you were called if you became part of the crew that unloaded 100-pound sacks of potatoes from railcars and packed them into five-pound bags,” said Tom Yandow, a key organizer of the Spudman Open, whose family operated Fowler & Huntting, one of the nation’s oldest produce companies, established in 1865.

At the time when the Spudman Open was conceived, Fowler & Huntting was owned by Maurice and William Yandow. Maurice Yandow, who had seven children, purchased two small potato packing machines that created summer jobs for family members, friends and neighborhood students looking to earn money for college.

“The purpose was to give the Spudmen jobs to help pay for college,” Yandow said. “We routinely worked 12-hour shifts. It was like being at the gym with nonstop weightlifting.”

The physically demanding work intensified after the installation of a 10-head Baker bagger, which increased production speed and workload.

“One day after the oldest brother sold another truckload, the crew realized they would have to work even more hours and the Spudmen staged a mini revolt,” Yandow recalled. “The next day, we left at noon and went to play golf.”

That impromptu afternoon on the golf course became the foundation for what would become the Spudman Open. Over the years, the tournament has become a popular event for the potato industry, including the Idaho Potato Commission and potato shippers from the Gem State. In fact, this year’s 50th anniversary celebration will feature a visit by the iconic Big Idaho Potato Truck, one of the most recognizable promotional vehicles in the produce industry.

Yandow said the Spudman Open has embraced its partnership with the IPC in other ways, too.

“The Idaho Potato Commission sends us the life-size Spuddy Buddy costume to use at the Open, and it has become so popular with the next generation,” said Yandow. “We select one person to wear it for morning pictures, and another youngster puts it on at dinner.”

“For 50 years, the Spudman Open has been a celebration of community, tradition and a way to give back,” said Ross Johnson, vice president of retail and international at the Idaho Potato Commission. “From the perspective of the Idaho Potato Commission, this 50th milestone reflects not only the enduring appeal of America’s favorite potato, but also the passion of the people who bring it to life year after year.”

Johnson said the tournament continues to exemplify how the potato industry fosters connections that extend far beyond the supply chain.

“Events like the Spudman Open remind us that potatoes connect us across states, generations and tables,” he said. “We’re proud to support this Golden anniversary and look forward to many more years of spud-filled fun, friendly competition and unforgettable memories.”

The tournament’s charitable mission also remains central to its identity. The original Spudmen often joked that years of lifting heavy potato sacks would eventually leave them with arthritis, which led organizers to initially support the Arthritis Foundation.

“We always joked that all the lifting would leave us with arthritis someday, so the Arthritis Foundation became our first charity,” Yandow said. “Over the years we’ve added several more charities as well.”

Today, the event continues to draw strong participation from produce industry veterans and longtime supporters. In fact, Yandow said many of the same Spudmen come back year after year with the same foursomes.

Held annually on the second Tuesday in July, the event has evolved into both a fundraiser and an industry reunion. According to Yandow, Tunxis staff frequently remind organizers that the Spudman Open is the golf course’s longest consecutively running tournament.