Australian PGA Pro turns culinary whiz on MasterChef

One of the most popular contestants on this season of Australian culinary hit show MasterChef is a young Victorian professional golfer.

Channel Ten’s eighth season of reality show MasterChef Australia is featuring 24-year-old Charlie Sartori from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, who has up until now spent most of his time on the golf course.

At the tender age of eight, Sartori became a member of Portsea Golf Club, and later went on to work as a club professional at Sorrento Golf Club, while studying three years through the PGA to become a fully qualified golf professional.

Before applying to the popular cooking show, Sartori was most recently employed at Yarrambat Golf Club.

The young professional found himself at a crossroad in his life when moving out on his own, discovering a hidden talent and great passion for the art of cooking.

Playing golf from a very young age, he acquired the skill of improving his technique through observation and a practical approach, a skill he has been able to transfer over to the kitchen where he describes himself as a hands-on kind of guy.

Sartori said that his golf career has helped him control his nerves during fierce competition, both on the course and in the kitchen.

Accustomed to the pressure of golf tournaments and scrutiny of spectators and club members, Sartori claims he thrives under pressure.

“I just love it when my heart’s beating fast and I have to make it happen,” he told the northsider.

You can watch Charlie Sartori and the other contestants on MasterChef on Channel Ten, weeknights 7:30pm.