OUR STORY
❊ The History
Anthony L. Consolino
What is now known as The Tony Open began in 1977 as a community golf tournament with a simple goal: raise money to support the American Cancer Society in Jackson County. The original event was called the Walter Hagen Tournament, named after the legendary professional golfer who had passed away from cancer. That first tournament was held at Arbor Hills Country Club and raised $11,000 — an impressive achievement that immediately showed what was possible when the community came together with purpose.
As the tournament grew through the late 1970s and early 1980s, Anthony L. Consolino emerged as its driving force. Tony was deeply involved in the Jackson community, known for his leadership, generosity, and belief that a community thrives only when people invest back into it. Under Tony’s guidance, the tournament expanded in participation, fundraising, and ambition. By 1983, the event had already raised more than $200,000 in total contributions to the American Cancer Society.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the tournament evolved in both size and structure. Its name changed, its format expanded, and its reach grew beyond a single course. By 1987, it became known as the American Cancer Society Golf Championship Tournament, reflecting its growing importance as a major fundraiser. In 1993, play expanded to include both the Country Club of Jackson and Arbor Hills Country Club, allowing the event to accommodate more teams and divisions.
Over time, however, the community began referring to the tournament simply as “The Tony Open.” The name stuck not because of branding, but because the event had become inseparable from Tony Consolino’s leadership, energy, and vision. Tony chaired the tournament for 18 years and worked tirelessly to grow its impact, setting an ambitious goal of raising $1 million for the American Cancer Society — a goal that would ultimately be achieved.
Tony’s influence extended far beyond the golf course. He was a civic leader, businessman, philanthropist, and mentor whose efforts helped shape Jackson in lasting ways. His belief was simple and unwavering: you cannot keep taking from a community without putting something back.
After Tony’s passing in 1994, there was never a question of whether the tournament would continue. His family, friends, and fellow organizers committed to carrying the event forward — not only to preserve a tradition, but to honor the values Tony lived by. In 1995, just one year later, the community rallied to raise a record $115,000 in a single tournament, officially surpassing the $1 million fundraising milestone Tony had worked toward for so many years.
From that point on, The Tony Open became more than a golf tournament. It became a symbol of continuity, resilience, and shared responsibility. In 1998, the Anthony L. Consolino Donor-Advised Endowment Fund was established to ensure long-term funding for cancer-related efforts in the Jackson area. The event continued to adapt, grow, and endure — even through challenges like weather cancellations and, decades later, the global COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2013, The Tony Open expanded its charitable impact beyond the American Cancer Society to include local cancer care through the Gail M. Jacob Cancer Center, further strengthening its commitment to keeping support close to home. In 2022, the event marked a major organizational milestone by celebrating 10 years as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Today, The Tony Open stands as one of the longest continuously running cancer benefit golf tournaments in the country. Approaching its 50th year, it remains rooted in the same principles that defined its earliest days: community, action, integrity, and the belief that showing up together can make a real difference.
❊ Milestones & Impact
