There's a star in the making at this week's Curtis Cup, and it's Bel-Air's beloved course dog

LOS ANGELES — When members walk into Bel-Air Country Club, they’re often greeted with a friendly smile from Penny in the front office lobby. Penny is always happy to see people. She doesn’t mind sitting in an office chair and exchanging greetings with staff and golfers. There’s not a member she doesn’t like.

The only thing she needs in return is getting attention and some treats.

Penny is the resident goldendoodle at the country club that is hosting the Curtis Cup this week that pits top-level amateur female golfers from the U.S. against Great Britain & Ireland. She’s an unofficial therapy dog and good-vibe machine.

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Penny rides in a Bel-Air cart with owner Justin DePippo and his son.

Penny’s owner is Justin DePippo, director of golf course and grounds at Bel-Air, and it’s always a thrill for him to share Penny’s playfulness with others. “She’s just a ball of joy running around here,” DePippo said.

DePippo always dreamed he’d get a dog when he was promoted to superintendent of a course. He got Penny when she was a puppy, and she’s now 8 years old. She rides around with him in a golf cart much of the day. Then she hangs in the front lobby.

“I had dogs growing up. I think one of the best kind of perks of the superintendent job is being able to have a dog you can bring to work with you every day,” DePippo said. “I was just really looking forward to once I got to that spot in my career, to get my own dog.”

In 2023, Penny got her share of fame via television time when the U.S. Women’s Amateur was played at Bel-Air, and she’s sure to get more airtime this week. It figures that she won’t take sides during the matches and will be spreading her love to all the players.

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Penny stands on the course with her toy amid a rainbow made by the spinkler system.

Penny is beloved by members and might be a bigger celebrity than some of the actual stars from Hollywood who play at the famed club. She’ll run up and jump into just about any golfer’s cart, and many golfers carry treats with them so they can reward her for her friendliness. She knows all sorts of tricks, like shaking hands and jump kisses.

Asked if she’s ever chased a golf ball, DePippo said yes, but only twice, and that’s when she was a puppy. He trained her with a long leash, which eventually got shorter, and in short order, she didn’t even need a leash. She stays right by DePippo’s side, unless he has a meeting, then she moves to front lobby greeter. She’ll stay in her office chair, too.

“She’s a big hit, everyone loves seeing her here,” DePippo said.

Asked if any members aren’t dog people, DePippo only knew of one such instance of a couple, and they don’t belong to the club anymore.

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Penny sits behind the front desk at Bel-Air.

“You know, not everybody’s a dog person, right?” DePippo said. “Just one couple out of the thousands of people, from members and guests and all of our events and staff. I think we’re probably at 99 percent of people being excited to be around her. In Europe, it’s common to see people out walking with their dog playing golf.”

DePippo and Penny arrive to the course before 6 a.m. There’s always a group of three men having heir breakfast at that time. Penny knows it and usually makes a beeline to get her first treats of the day.

She’ll go sit in the shade and take a nap or hang out at the famous Swinging Bridge, which has a view of downtown. It’s a photogenic spot for Penny.

DePippo and Penny had the run of the place when Bel-Air was under renovation a few years ago. She befriended construction workers then, too. She’s more of people person and isn’t so much interested in dogs, so she’s a perfect fit at a country club. DePippo hopes to keep Penny around for a long time, continuing to bring love to all.

“She stays active and I just want to keep her healthy and not give her too much bacon and goldfish treats,” DePippo said. “The vet told me I should get a T-shirt that says, ‘Don’t feed me’ because she’s around so many people, and everybody loves seeing her [and] wants to give her a treat. I’ve got healthy treats, and she’s on a healthy dog food program. I’m just trying to keep her young and healthy as long as I can.”