Jake Knapp Ducks sponsorship, explained: How California roots led to golfer's partnership with NHL team

Jake Knapp Ducks sponsorship, explained: How California roots led to golfer's partnership with NHL team originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A lot of hockey players are great golfers due to similar rotations of the body and contact with the puck/ball with a stick or club. One lifelong Anaheim Ducks fan has made it all the way to the PGA Tour and is playing at the Masters this week.

Jake Knapp is a lifelong Ducks fan from Costa Mesa, Calif. After a few years participating on the Korn Ferry Tour, he turned professional in 2023. Prior to turning pro, once he made the Korn Ferry Tour, Knapp got the opportunity of a lifetime: a sponsorship with his favorite NHL team.

While playing at his local Costa Mesa Country Club, Knapp got paired with both the then-GM and president of his favorite franchise. After speaking with the two men and getting to know them more over the years, he finally inked his sponsorship deal in 2020.

Here's the unlikely story of how Knapp became sponsored by the Ducks, along with the gear he will be repping during Masters week.

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Jake Knapp-Ducks sponsorship

Knapp first became sponsored by the Ducks after playing a round with the team’s former GM, Bob Murray, and team president Tim Ryan at his local country club in Costa Mesa.

Despite being a lifelong Ducks fan, Knapp said he didn’t know the two men in his group held two of the highest positions in Anaheim’s front office, but he got to know them over time. In 2020, he reached the Korn Ferry Tour, the developmental tour for the PGA Tour, and has had the sponsorship deal with the Ducks ever since.

Here is Knapp discussing how the sponsorship came about.

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Jake Knapp Ducks gear

Ahead of his participation at the Masters, Knapp will be donning the Ducks' logo on his shirt collar, along with on his golf bag. Here is a photo of the gear.

The Ducks are also hosting a giveaway for one lucky fan to receive Knapp's signed bag. Fans can enter by texting "GOLF" to 81883.

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Where is Jake Knapp from?

Knapp is from Costa Mesa, Calif. He was born there on May 31, 1994, and grew up playing at the local Costa Mesa Country Club.

He attended Estancia High School in Costa Mesa, and later played college golf at UCLA before turning professional in 2016.

Costa Mesa lies just over 13 miles away from Honda Center, where the Anaheim Ducks play, explaining his fandom.