Born in Honolulu, Oahu Hawaii, Mildred (Millie) Stanley learned how to play golf from her dad at age four. She went on to work for the U.S. Navy in Japan as a civilian. Although golf wasn’t her favorite sport, it soon became a permanent fixture in her life, as she became the only woman to play golf for a service team. 

At age 47, Stanley was recruited (on scholarship) to play at Long Beach State. Throughout her last year (1980-1981) she was a player-coach, something uncommon in today’s game. Following graduation, she served as a volunteer coach and was the 1984 Western Collegiate Coach of the Year. Stanley was inducted into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame in 1988 and established an endowment fund to support Long Beach State women golfers. 

She went on to have an accomplished amateur career, winning more than 100 tournaments. Notable wins include; five California State Senior Championships, 10 WSCGA Senior Championships and five Long Beach City Women’s Championships. Named the 1991 Southern California Female Golfer of the Year by the Los Angeles Times, she received the WSCGA Distinguished Service Award in 1993. The WSCGA created the “Millie Stanley Cup” in her honor. 

A true advocate for both juniors and women in golf, Millie volunteered at countless USGA and junior events across the Southland. For over 30 years, she volunteered for the PGA and San Diego Junior Golf and served on the USGA Committee and the Tournament Committees for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and the Women’s Trans National Association. 

Millie Stanley’s legacy goes beyond the trophies and accolades. Her trailblazing spirit has left an indelible mark on women's golf, inspiring generations to come.