Four-year golf champion at Illinois College, Buckley was a member of the 1940 and 1941 golf teams that captured conference championships. He was also a three-time winner of the individual golf championship at those events. Compiled an 80 percent winning percentage in 31 years as golf coach at Jacksonville High School. Named to the JHS Sports Hall of Fame in 1986 before receiving the Illinois Coaches Association National Coach of the Year Award in 1987. Five-year IHSA Golf Advisory Committee member and nine-time Jacksonville city golf champion.