Isleta Eagle golf pro, Zach Fullerton, reaches nationals

PUEBLO OF ISLETA — After not playing in a competitive golf tournament for six years, it was a bit of a surprise when Zach Fullerton scored well enough to qualify for the national Assistant PGA Professional Championship, where he will represent New Mexico in November.

It wasn’t that long ago that the 38-year-old Fullerton, an assistant pro at Isleta Eagle Golf Course, “stepped away” from the game because of injury, disappointment and burnout.

“I had been golfing since I was 4,” Fullerton said about taking a break. “I had been around it my entire life.”

Born in Gallup and graduated from La Cueva High School, Fullerton attended New Mexico Junior College and New Mexico State University, where he studied golf management. On the links, Fullerton showed promise, playing periodically on the Korn Ferry Tour, one step below the PGA Tour.

That effort was derailed in 2019 at the PGA qualifying school.

“I tore a tendon off my elbow,” during one of the rounds, Fullerton said during an interview at Isleta Eagle. “I went through rehab, but it didn’t take,” leading to surgery.

Besides, Fullerton acknowledged he wasn’t making “enough money, otherwise I wouldn’t have to be looking for a real job.” Eventually, Fullerton ended up doing what he described as odd jobs, including construction and sales.

However, Fullerton found his way to Isleta where he is an instructor and works in the pro shop.

“I’m very glad to be here,” he said.

His time at Isleta has allowed Fullerton to start getting back into form, as evidenced by his showing at the Sun Country PGA Assistant Professional Championships last month at Las Campanas in Santa Fe.

Fullerton fired a two-round total of 140, four under par, on the Jack Nicklaus designed course to qualify for the national tournament in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

“I didn’t have any expectations, just more or less very happy and blessed to be able to go out there and play in a tournament” after so long, said Fullerton.

An added bonus was that Fullerton’s father was his caddy.

“It was a great time,” he said. “It reminded us of growing up and playing in all those tournaments.”

In August, Fullerton stayed hot, finishing fourth at the Sun Country PGA Section Professional Championship, ahead of New Mexico legends Kent Jones and Don Yrene.

No matter the end result in Florida, Fullerton is thankful for the support of Isleta, his parents and Celeste, his fiancé.

“I’m just going to go with the flow and enjoy the moment,” hopeful that it might lead to bigger tournaments. “I always felt that’s where my calling is.”