If she’s not on the golf course, you can most likely find Dani Holmqvist at a vineyard or traversing the skies in a Robinson R22 helicopter. She knows studying to become a sommelier and working toward a pilot license are anything but normal hobbies.
The 34-year-old Swede and Florida resident decided to give them a try after an accident. In November of 2018 at Blue Bay LPGA, the golf cart in which she was riding between holes lost control and slammed into a wall. On top of a leaking disk in her back, Holmqvist had a badly inflamed facet joint that required multiple injections and rigorous rehab.
For many, books and ping pong would have filled recovery. But Holmqvist opted for the unconventional.
“I’ve always liked wine and needed something to do in my down time,” said Holmqvist, who is currently an advanced, or level 3 sommelier.
“There is so much studying,” she added. “You can get ahead a little bit if you know what kind of grape varietal it is. For instance, something with a Cab Sauv then you’re going to have more blackberries.
“I wouldn’t say I’m fantastic with blind tasting, but it’s a work in progress and I taste a lot of wine.”
As for flying a helicopter, lessons are also advancing quickly. Holmqvist posted to her social accounts on Wednesday that the quest for a pilot license had been ‘initiated.’
Should really start picking some normal hobbies.. Helicopter 🚁 pilot license initiated ✌🏻 pic.twitter.com/w1t5CIQFgw
— Dani Holmqvist (@DHolmqvist) May 18, 2022
“I think it’s cool for women to be accomplished and do things that perhaps mostly men do,” Holmqvist said. “It’s just cool. I think helicopters are cool. I was thinking of trying a plane, but I don’t like how you are so dialed in with a flight map and have to plan so much ahead.
“The freedom with the helicopter was appealing.”
Holmqvist returns to the links this week at Alaqua Country Club in the Sunshine State for the IOA Classic presented by LPT Realty. Her competitiveness on the course is second to none but with the newfound pleasures of life, she might find herself looking up to the clouds from time to time, eager for that next adventure.
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