If you’ve ever watched Cameron Young stroll down a fairway and wondered why a Major League Baseball logo is front and center on his shirt, you’re not alone. It was even just showcased in his first career win at Wyndham.
In a sport known for corporate sponsors ranging from banks to watchmakers, seeing the logo of an entirely different sport might feel out of place. But in Young’s case, and for a surprising number of PGA Tour pros, there’s a story behind the stitching.
It All Started at Sleepy Hollow
Young, born and raised in New York, got his start in golf at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Westchester County, where his father, David Young, served as head professional. Among the club’s members? None other than MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
When Cameron turned pro in 2019, he was still fighting for any kind of tour status. In a 2023 appearance on the No Laying Up podcast, Young recalled a pivotal moment:
“We went out to dinner with [Manfred], and afterward, he leaned in and said, ‘Would you wear the MLB patch?’… I had just gotten Canada status, so I was nothing — no status anywhere. And I said, ‘Absolutely, I’d love to.’”
That moment turned into a sponsorship deal that has remained with Young ever since. Whether it’s been on his sleeve or his collar, the MLB patch has traveled with him from Korn Ferry Tour to PGA Tour to his first career win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship.
It’s Bigger Than Young and Been Around for a While
Young isn’t alone. Eric Cole and Jhonattan Vegas both wore the MLB logo during the 2025 PGA Championship. And over the past decade, a slew of players — including Peter Malnati, Brendon Todd, Chez Reavie, Adam Long, and Billy Andrade — have struck similar deals with the league.
The origins trace back to 2013 when sports agent Dave Parker pitched the idea to MLB while representing Shawn Stefani. The Texas native was a natural fit. The league paid him, gave him Astros tickets, and in return, he sported the logo and entertained MLB sponsors at pro-ams and other events.
“They put a logo on your bag and shirt. They pay you a little bit for the exposure. You do an event or two for them. Take some clients out to play golf,” Malnati explained to Golf.com. “But most importantly, you’ve got a ticket connection.”
Cross-Sport Partnerships in Full Swing
What started as a quirky one-off has become a surprisingly common cross-sport sponsorship model. MLB gets visibility with golf’s affluent and sports-savvy fan base, while golfers get exposure, a financial boost, and — maybe most importantly — great seats.
And with Young emerging as one of the PGA Tour’s top names, MLB’s logo isn’t just showing up on Sundays — it’s popping up on leaderboards.
Don’t be surprised if more Tour pros start sporting the patch. After all, it’s a win-win: brand exposure for MLB, and for players? Free tickets, a solid check, and a chance to rep their baseball roots on golf’s biggest stages.
