The annual Hilton Open is a week-long golf event held in Socorro, New Mexico, on the New Mexico Tech campus during the first full week of June. The University and its course offer an oasis in the desert of the Rio Grand valley, an hour south of Albuquerque. Hilton week is packed with events for professional and amateur golfers.

As the longest-running golf tournament in New Mexico, the Hilton enjoys a long history of noteworthy players, sponsors, and events. Among those players have been Rich Beem, Don Klein, Gene Torres, Adam Kase, Ray Cragun, Shaun Haberstoh, and Mike Sauer; some of whom have been involved with the Hilton Open since its start in 1960. Over the past 40-plus years, the Hilton has grown from a single nine-hole event, to a multi-event competition including the notorious Elfego Baca Shoot.

The original 9-hole tournament was the brain child of Holm Bursum Jr., then Mayor of Socorro, who wanted an event to promote the small community. Bursum, with the help of the City of Socorro and Socorro County Chamber of Commerce, started the 9-hole tournament at the New Mexico Tech Golf Course. Since its beginning, the Open has bore the name of one of Socorro's favorite native son's, Conrad Hilton, the hotel chain founder. Hilton, with his sons Barron and Conrad Jr., came to Socorro to kick off the very first event in the summer of 1960.

In 1968, Holm Bursum III, took over as tournament chairman and has remained at the post since. Also in 1968, Bursum contacted Barron Hilton, chairman of Hilton Hotels Corp., to co-sponsor the tournament with First State Bank. Barron and Hilton Hotels have been generous supporters of the event ever since. 

Another famous name attached to the Hilton - Elfego Baca - was a self-deputized Sheriff of Socorro in the 1880s. In the 1970's the Hilton Committee was looking for a niche to attract more attention to the Hilton Open. Consequently, the Elfego Baca Shoot was born. The Shoot, named after another of Socorro's famous sons, is the epitome of the adventurous spirit that is the Southwest. Baca is well-know in southern New Mexico for his infamous standoff with several banditos. Legend has it that Baca survived hours of gun shots while held up in an adobe hut. After the day-long regale of bullets, he walked out unharmed and arrested the bandits. It is this spirit that relates to the brave souls who dare to venture down Socorro's "M" Mountain for New Mexico's longest hole.

Other events during Hilton week are the Senior/Senior Pro-Am, Senior Pro Tournament, and the regular Hilton Pro-Am. The Hilton Open is know by players and spectators throughout the southwest for great golf, great volunteers, great food, and great hospitality. The tournament and all associated Pro-Ams are sanctioned by the Sun Country Section PGA. For more information, be sure to contact the tournament coordinator at First State Bank at 505.835.8211.