ABQ Times

Each August, golfers gather for the annual El Mezquite Golf Tournament to raise scholarship funds for University of New Mexico (UNM) students. Now in its 14th year, the event features exciting prizes, unique food, and a festive atmosphere. The tournament hosts 50 teams and has raised over $750,000 to date.

The event was conceived by El Mezquite President and CEO Sergio Bermudez. An avid golfer, Bermudez sought to create a tournament specifically benefiting Hispanic students.

“Here in New Mexico, Latinos are a large part of our population,” he said. “Where’s the tournament for them?”

Bermudez collaborated with then-Vice President for Student Affairs Eliseo “Cheo” Torres after being introduced through his brother.

“My brother knew Cheo before I did, and he thought Cheo might be the right person to talk to about the tournament idea,” Bermudez said.

Initially hesitant due to an existing scholarship fundraiser, Torres eventually agreed to move forward with the golf tournament.

“I’ve been to so many tournaments and I know what I like and don’t like,” Bermudez said. “I wanted to create something completely different.” The inaugural event at UNM Championship Golf Course featured 32 teams with sponsorships ranging from $750 to $5,000.

“It was a learning experience,” Bermudez recalled. The first tournament lasted six hours due to eightsomes play format which caused delays. Despite this challenge, it raised nearly $15,000.

This year's sold-out event includes sponsorships from UNM departments and businesses ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Unique culinary offerings set this tournament apart; golfers enjoy burrito lunches, ceviche snacks along the course, salsa and chips in their golf carts, followed by a banquet dinner featuring tres leches cake.

“One of the big things that makes us different is the food,” Bermudez noted. “Most tournaments serve burgers...I want a burrito.”

José Villar of UNM College Enrichment and Outreach Programs emphasized the authenticity of the event: “This tournament is authentic in that Mezquite isn’t making any money off it...every dollar goes back to the students.”

Villar also highlighted cost negotiations with golf courses that help maximize scholarship funds: “The committee works with the golf course...that extra savings means another scholarship for a student.”

Additional features include a photo booth on the green and raffle prizes donated annually worth over $5,000. Raffle ticket sales alone added an extra $10,000 last year toward scholarships.

Each fall semester sees 15 current UNM students awarded $1,000 scholarships based on Spanish language proficiency and leadership qualities among other criteria.

Bermudez attributes much of the success of this initiative to volunteers from UNM Student Affairs staff and previous scholarship recipients: “I couldn’t do this tournament without these people.”

Vice President for Student Affairs Eric Scott praised Bermudez's contributions: “It is truly a gift that a business and community leader like Sergio has focused his energy and resources on scholarships stewarded by the Division of Student Affairs.”

This year’s El Mezquite Golf Tournament will take place on Friday, Aug. 2 at Isleta Golf Course. More information can be found on College Enrichment Program’s scholarship page.