Home / Sports / Golfer's Girlfriend Makena White Passes Away at 28, Tributes Flood In
Golfer's Girlfriend Makena White Passes Away at 28, Tributes Flood In
26 Sep, 2025
Summary
- Makena White, girlfriend of golfer Jake Knapp, has died at age 28
- White was a fan of the Ottawa Senators hockey team
- Tributes from the golf community, including CBS Sports' Amanda Balionis
On September 26, 2025, the tragic news emerged that Makena White, the 28-year-old girlfriend of American golfer Jake Knapp, has passed away. The news was confirmed through a message posted to White's Instagram account by one of her friends.
White, who was born in Ottawa, Canada, and graduated from McMaster University in 2019 with a degree in communications and software engineering, worked in sales, primarily providing equipment to cardiac and vascular surgeons. She was also a passionate sports fan, supporting her hometown hockey team, the Ottawa Senators.
The golf community has rallied to pay tribute to White, with CBS Sports golf personality Amanda Balionis commenting that "getting to know Makena was one of my favorite parts of this last year." Balionis described White as having a "rare way of making you feel special" and a "huge heart" that was "always overflowing with love."
The statement posted on White's Instagram page expressed the profound grief felt by her family, friends, and her boyfriend, Knapp. It noted that White's memory can be honored through donations to the Bruyère Brain Health & Memory Clinic or the Griffin Bell Endowment Fund.
This heartbreaking news has left the golf community in mourning, as they remember the vibrant and beloved Makena White, whose light touched so many lives.
