This week I want to tell you about one of UJA’s strongest supporters; Steve Miller. Steve is the director of our major fundraiser: The Glenn Miller Memorial Golf Tournament. This tournament is a major event in the community and raises funds for tuition aid at Ukiah Junior Academy, more about this later. This tournament is named after Steve’s Father, Glenn Miller, who was a beloved physician and local humanitarian in the area for over 50 years.
Steve grew up attending Ukiah Junior Academy from first grade through 10th. He remembers being in 4th grade when the school moved to its present location in 1957. He graduated from Rio Lindo Adventist Academy in ‘65 and went on to graduate from Pacific Union College in the Napa Valley with a degree in Biology in ‘69. Steve taught two years as the 7th grade teacher at San Francisco Junior Academy followed by two years as the PE and Biology teacher at Pacific Union College Preparatory School. Steve’s passion and expertise in tennis led him to take a position as a tennis pro at Meadowood Resort in St. Helena. He then spent 12 years as the director of tennis at the Kapalua Resort in Maui.
For the next 20+ years Steve lived in Indonesia and opened a number of tennis schools in the country before he moved on to being a golf course manager. In 2013 he moved back to Ukiah and was encouraged to get involved in our emerging golf tournament fundraiser. Steve had been involved in numerous golf tournament charity events and his knowledge and experience were immediately evident.
After his father passed away in 2014, Steve was encouraged to name the tournament after him as a memorial to his longtime dedication to Christian education. Over the last 13 years the Glenn Miller Memorial Golf Tournament has raised over $1,300,000. This is an all volunteer event with every penny set aside solely for tuition aid to help make Christian education possible for as many families as possible. This is a labor of love for Steve. He spends much of the year contacting donors and businesses soliciting sponsorships and prizes for the auction and raffle. Steve makes an effort to provide a personal touch for all the donors. Each one receives a hand written note and a picture of our students as a thank you. Steve makes an effort to hand deliver as many of these thank you notes as possible.
Please note this link to the attached list of businesses who have donated prizes or have been a hole sponsor:
2026 Glenn Miller Golf Sponsors
If you have the opportunity, give them your business and personally thank them for their support of this event and Ukiah Junior Academy.
God bless,
Rick Nelson