Background
Oakley was born in New York, but grew up in Panama City, Florida. He got started in golf by his mother who thought a nine-hole course near their home would make a fine babysitter for Oakley and his brother.
Oakley was born in New York, but grew up in Panama City, Florida. He got started in golf by his mother who thought a nine-hole course near their home would make a fine babysitter for Oakley and his brother.
Oakley attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he was a walk-on member of coach Buster Bishop"s Florida Gators men"s golf team from 1965 to 1967.
Oakley was the older brother of American professional golfer Pete Oakley. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor"s degree in business administration in 1967. Oakley turned pro in 1970 and toured Europe, Asia, Canada and the United States before hanging up his clubs in 1976 to concentrate on a business career unrelated to golf.
He spent ten years as a hotel liquidator and nine as a furniture store manager and regained his amateur status.
He returned to professional golf in 1996 and played on various senior circuits. Oakley died in Orlando, Florida from prostate cancer at the age of 61.
At the time of his death, he was fifth on the European Seniors Tour career money list. 1999 (1) MDIS & Partners Festival of Golf.