Jake Knapp's Unlikely NHL Sponsorship: From Costa Mesa to PGA Tour Stardom Jake Knapp, a lifelong fan of the Anaheim Ducks, has turned his passion for hockey into a unique partnership with the NHL team, despite his own career as a professional golfer. The 29-year-old, who hails from Costa Mesa, Calif., has made headlines for his unexpected sponsorship deal with the Ducks, a relationship that began during his early days on the golf course and has since evolved into a significant endorsement. Knapp’s journey from a local golf club to the PGA Tour and the Masters Tournament highlights the intersection of his personal fandom and professional success. Knapp’s connection to the Ducks began in his childhood, as he grew up in Costa Mesa, a city just over 13 miles from the Honda Center, the team’s home arena. Born on May 31, 1994, he spent his formative years playing golf at the local Costa Mesa Country Club, where he developed a deep appreciation for the sport. His early exposure to the Ducks came through regular attendance at games, and the team became a central part of his life. However, his path to the PGA Tour was anything but straightforward. After playing college golf at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Knapp joined the Korn Ferry Tour in 2016, a developmental league for aspiring PGA Tour players. It was during this time that his relationship with the Ducks took an unexpected turn. In 2020, Knapp secured a sponsorship with the Ducks, a partnership that was both a personal and professional milestone. The deal was facilitated by his longstanding friendship with the team’s former general manager, Bob Murray, and then-president Tim Ryan. Knapp first met Murray and Ryan while playing a round of golf at his local country club, where he was paired with the two executives.#anaheim_ducks #masters_tournament #korn_ferry_tour #jake_knapp #costa_mesa
