No one doubts the seriousness of this event. It is, after all, the national senior championship and players put a lot on the line. Many of them know each other well. They’ve competed for years and while there are surely rivalries among them, they’re not outward. Most are friends. Two past champions, Carolyn Creekmore of Dallas and Nancy Fitzgerald of Carmel, Ind., played each other yesterday in the first round. Luck of the draw. Encountering the two on their way back from the practice tee, you’d think it was Ladies Day. Creekmore, “Creekie,” and Fitzgerald, “Fitzie,” were sharing a cart and laughing. Fitzie had broken a fingernail and Creekie had provided an Emory board for repairs. They laughed that they’d no doubt be penalized for sharing equipment. Creekmore won, 3 and 1. – Rhonda Glenn