The sporting world and Canadian community are mourning the tragic loss of Makena White, a 27-year-old Ottawa native and partner of PGA Tour professional Jake Knapp, who has died in a suspected suicide, according to a family member.
Makena White
Born on July 18, 1997, White was a familiar face to many golf fans, often seen supporting Knapp in person at tournaments or posting about him on social media. She was also known for her passion for hockey, frequently sharing her thoughts on her favorite teams, the Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators.
A Love Story in the Spotlight
White and Knapp began dating in August 2023, though they kept their relationship private until February 2024, when Knapp captured his maiden PGA Tour victory in Mexico. Since then, the couple had been spotted together at multiple events, with White enthusiastically cheering on her partner’s success.
While Knapp’s career was the main sporting spotlight, White herself enjoyed golf recreationally. In a lighthearted social media post, she once admitted she had been “a good little golfer as a kid” but largely stepped away from the sport between her teenage years and early twenties.
Career and Education
Beyond her public presence as Knapp’s partner, White built an impressive professional career. Since October 2021, she had been working in surgical sales at LeMaitre Vascular as a representative, ensuring vascular and cardiac surgeons had the tools they needed to provide life-saving care.
On her LinkedIn profile, she described her role:
“Day to day I ensure surgeons, primarily Vascular and Cardiac, have the equipment necessary to be successful in providing patients the best possible care.”
Her journey to that role reflected years of dedication. A graduate of St. Joseph High School (Class of 2015), White went on to attend McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where she earned an honors degree in communications and software engineering in 2019.
While in college, she gained experience at Labatt Breweries of Canada, where she worked in various positions and later as a sales representative. She also completed a five-month internship in 2017 as a Legal Administrative Intern at Colonnade BridgePort in Ottawa, combining her education with hands-on professional work.
Remembered With Love
White’s death has left her family, friends, and partner devastated. To those who knew her, she was not only the supportive presence behind a rising PGA star but also an accomplished young professional with a bright future.
Her sudden passing has also highlighted the importance of mental health awareness, especially for young adults navigating demanding careers, relationships in the public eye, and personal challenges.
She is survived by her family, her many friends, and her partner, Jake Knapp.
