GREENVILLE – Covington senior Matt Dieperink continues with his leadership as the top golfer for the Buccaneers as he finished in the top spot in the season opener at the Greenville Invitational on Thursday.

Covington had a memorable season last year by finishing 21-0 in the TRC and Dieperink was one of two Buccaneers to earn First Team honors in the league.

Now, a year later, the Buccaneers need to find a way to overcome the loss of four very talented seniors from a year ago – Cameron Haines, Sam Grabeman, Bryson White and Connor Humphrey. It all starts with the hard work Dieperink has put in over the off-season.

And the hard work is paying off as Dieperink found a way to finish the 18-hole tournament with 74 strokes, even after a rocky start he felt he had.

“It was a little rough at the start,” Dieperink said. “Of course, you always want to be medalist, but I got off to a rocky start.”

Dieperink has the mental stability to overcome adverse situations.

“I felt like things kind of came together as I played the front nine,” he continued. “You always are happy to get the season started.”

Covington finished eight as a team with a 354 total.

Brodie Manson finished with 84 strokes, while Jayden Wackler had 93 and Brairen Denson finished with 103. Jackson Hollis and Caleb Smith both finished with 108.

“Matt (Dieperink) is always rock solid,” Covington coach Bill Wise said. “Brodie just had a tough stretch of holes at one point in the round. This is the toughest course we will play. It is a good to get out and play on it and it is a good preview for sectionals.”

It is the start of the season and the Buccaneers are hoping to improve as the season moves on.