By AL MILLEY

Returning the North-South amateur tournaments to the stature they commanded in the past is the top priority of Danielle Ware, the new tournament director for Pinehurst.

Ware is responsible for all tournament operations at Pinehurst, but she admits immediate emphasis is on the North-South.

"The North-South tournaments are the two oldest running amateur events in the country," said Ware. The men's tournament celebrated its 100th consecutive year in 2000 and the women's tournament will observe its 100th year in 2002.

"Over the past 10 years we feel the North-South has lost some of its stature. We hope to return it to where it was," added Ware in noting she is being helped in her endeavor by Hank Thompson, events coordinator and an assistant golf professional at Pinehurst.

"We've been busy contacting college golf coaches and players in hopes of returning the best amateurs in the country to Pinehurst. It's like recruiting the top collegiate players and, like in the past, we want to see the North-South champion go on to be a standout on the PGA and LPGA tours."

Davis Love III was the last North-South champion to go on to make a big name for himself on the PGA Tour. Other North-South champions of note on the PGA tour include Hal Sutton, Curtis Strange, Jack Nicklaus, Corey Pavin and Keith Clearwater.

North-South women's champions who have gone on to make a name for themselves on the LPGA tour include Kelly Robbins, Laura Diaz and Brandie Burton.

"We want to insure that future North-South champions will be on the tour, and we can only accomplish that by getting the best amateurs in the country to Pinehurst.

Our selection process for the North-South tournaments is very strict, and we want to insure we get the best possible field."

The men's North-South is scheduled to be played in July 2-6 while the women tee it up in June 25-29.

"We feel one way to attract the best players is to return the match play to a 64-player format. It was reduced about 10 years ago from 64 to 32. I feel the best players would be more receptive to entering the tournament if it was a 64-player field."

Other major amateur tournaments Ware is responsible for include the men's and women's Senior North-South, the Junior North-South and the Donald Ross Junior.

There are also corporate groups and tournaments played during the year, along with membership events such as member-guests and club championships.

Pinehurst also is host to golf schools throughout the year and Ware serves on the teaching staff.

Ware has played in most of the tournaments at Pinehurst while in the junior ranks. She finished in the top 10 at the North-South Junior, played in the Women's North-South Amateur and won the first flight at the Women's Virginia State Amateur played at Hot Springs.

While a student at Tunstall High School in Danville, Va., Ware helped the boys golf team to the Group AA state playoffs as a senior. She also placed in the top 10 at the district tournament and qualified for individual play at the regionals.

She attended UNC-Wilmington on a golf scholarship and helped the Lady Seahawks to a third place in the conference tournament.

Ware finished college in three and a half years and entered the internship program at Pinehurst in the spring of 1999 where she served as an instructor for the golf school.

Now 24, Ware was promoted to tournament director in October of last year when Margaret Swindell stepped down after 20 years at the position.

Prior to being offered the position, Ware was considered for the opening of assistant women's golf coach at N.C. State University.

"I thought seriously about the position because it would allow me to work towards getting my Masters. I put that ambition on hold when I was offered the job here.

"I love it in Pinehurst and I like the people I work with. I was surprised when they offered me the promotion. I feel being tournament director for Pinehurst is a great opportunity for me and a great experience."

The North-South tournaments are commanding most of Ware's attention at the moment, but she hopes to work towards obtaining Class A Professional status when things slow down a little.

Despite her busy schedule, Ware continues to work on her game under the guidance of Harvie Ward, considered one of the best teachers in the country.

"I would like to continue playing in tournaments and I think my game is improving, thanks to Mr. Ward. I'm stronger and longer off the tee and my short game, including my putting, has improved. We work a lot together and Mr. Ward has also taught me more about playing competitive golf."

At the moment, however, my top priority is working to make amateur tournaments at Pinehurst the best they can be, especially the North-South."