In Loving Memory of Ray Oakes, PGA
(March 6, 1936 – July 6, 2022)
A PGA Member for 56 years, Ray Oakes spent his professional life dedicated to the game of golf.
As a young PGA Professional, Oakes managed several golf shops and driving ranges in Oregon and Southern California. One of the more notable facilities that he managed was directly across the street from Angels Stadium, and on mornings before baseball games many MLB players and umpires would come by to hang out at the counter and talk golf, baseball, and life with Oakes.
He was a good friend of Earl Woods and was instrumental in the connection between Tiger and one of his first coaches, John Anselmo. It was this connection that led to Anselmo overseeing Tiger’s growth for seven years, and coaching him to the brink of greatness, before handing him over to Butch Harmon.
He was also no stranger to golf’s winner’s circle, amassing many trophies on the local and national level. He had the privilege of playing in several PGA TOUR events, and in the 1986 U.S. Senior Open.
Ray Oakes, PGA will be missed by many in and out of the golfing community.
He is survived by his two sons Corby and David, and his six grandchildren.