Folsom resident and professional golfer Isaac Sanchez grew up fast—literally.

During a routine physical exam in eighth grade, his doctor discovered a rare pituitary gland tumor responsible for the rapid, painful growth spurts he’d experienced since his freshman year. Left untreated, such tumors can prove fatal; fortunately for Sanchez, the tumor was removed before his condition could worsen. Since then, Sanchez has learned to turn his height—all six feet, six inches of it—to his advantage. In fact, when some of his friends called him “Sasquatch,” he adopted the nickname with pride. “I liked it,” Sanchez says. “God decided to put me through this, and I think it’s for a reason. You have to embrace it.”

Sanchez went on to a golf scholarship at the University of Hawaii and has played in some of the world’s premier golf tournaments, including the Canadian PGA and most recently the Golf Channel’s Big Break NFL Puerto Rico, in which Sanchez and his team (consisting of retired NFL player Jerry Rice, and pro golfer Emily Talley) took home the victory. Although it wasn’t always easy to follow his dream to become a professional golfer, his wife Zoë has been with him every step of the way. When he isn’t golfing or spending time with his wife and two children, Sanchez volunteers his time as a board member for Patriot’s Honor, an organization that supports wounded military veterans. Sanchez is also passionate about supporting junior golf organizations; after all, he wants to encourage kids to dream big. “I don’t know what it’s like to be small!” Sanchez says with a laugh.

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