Amanda Balionis is best known for her work on the PGA Tour, but she is also the founder of Puppies and Golf – a non-profit organization which advocates for rescue dogs
CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis was left stunned when an unexpected furry companion popped out from under her seat on a recent flight.
While Balionis is best known for her golf coverage on the PGA Tour, she’s also passionate about dogs, frequently sharing photos of them on social media and founding the non-profit organization Puppies and Golf in 2020. The charity aims to promote positive connections between humans and rescue dogs, raising awareness about the benefits of pet adoption.
As an avid dog lover, Balionis has fostered numerous rescue dogs, sharing updates on their progress. Her organization even gained support from golf pro Rory McIlroy, who once encouraged his followers to adopt a dog named Cuddles. Speaking of McIlroy, he’s provided some insight into his role in the upcoming ‘Happy Gilmore’ film.
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“Hi everyone, I’m Rory McIlroy and this is Cuddles,” McIlroy said to support Balionis’ cause. “Cuddles is waiting to be adopted and find her forever home. So, if you feel so inclined, if you want to adopt her, I guess click the link and you’ll know where to find her.”
Balionis’ passion for helping dogs was sparked by her volunteer work with K9s for Warriors while covering the PGA Tour in Jacksonville, Florida. She found the experience incredibly rewarding, inspiring her to start Puppies and Golf.
“It was really fulfilling and gratifying. It made me feel like more of a whole, well-rounded person,” she shared in a 2020 interview with Golf Digest. The dog-loving sports reporter was thrilled beyond words when she encountered a furry friend during her flight to Charlotte, North Carolina.
The 38-year-old was heading to preview the prestigious PGA Championship when she stumbled upon this unexpected delight. She quickly took to Instagram Stories, where she posted a video showing her surprise with the caption: “IS MY DREAM HAPPENING.”
Initially, the clip only showed the bag at her feet, but soon a golden tail came into view as she panned her camera down. Although she couldn’t capture it fully, as the dog wandered away, just the sight was enough to make her day.
As a well-known figure in the golf broadcasting world, Balionis spends a lot of time on planes traversing the country to bring us the latest from the PGA Tour – and this chance encounter with a canine companion certainly made this particular trip memorable.
Already this year, she’s been a familiar face on CBS Sports, providing insights during events such as the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Genesis Invitational, RBC Heritage, last week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and not to forget, the Masters.
CBS is in full swing, broadcasting every PGA Tour event leading up to the U.S. Open, which tees off June 12-15, promising viewers a golf-packed season with Balionis at the forefront.
Yet, her hectic schedule hasn’t stopped her from dedicating time to her passion for dogs, particularly in fostering them. In December, Balionis took to Instagram to update fans about Jenga, the lovable rescue pup she fostered in November, courtesy of her mom, until they found the dog a permanent home.
“For those of you who fell in love with Jenga like we did when we fostered her for Thanksgiving… she’s been adopted!!” she announced, sharing a photo of Jenga cozied up with her new family, originally posted by the Rescue Center.
While covering the NFL for six months last year, Balionis didn’t miss a chance to merge her love for dogs and sports on social media. She shared several photos from the Arizona Cardinals’ clash with the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium in December, including one of herself on the field and another featuring an adorable holiday-ready corgi.
“The motto for the Cardinals this week: You can’t win them all if you don’t win this one. That’s exactly what Arizona did as they try to control what they can control and hope it’s enough to sneak into the playoffs,” she captioned the post.
“Ps. Christmas corgi races are everything. Say hi to diabetic alert dog Delilah who moonlights as an elite sprinter on her weekends off.”
