LUMBERTON — Winning never gets old. Just ask Kyle Covington, whose become an expert on the subject.

As Covington drove his golf cart to the leaderboard on the final day of the 29th annual Jerry Johnson Chevrolet Robeson County Golf Championship at Pinecrest Country Club on Sunday, he wasn't smiling or full of energy.

His three-day total of 207 — 9 under par — had given him a five-stroke cushion over Scott Benton and Ian Locklear, who finished had tied for second with a 4-under-par 212.

Fresh off his record sixth county title and fourth straight, Covington had the look of a man who expected to win.

"It never gets boring," Covington said. "Today was not the typical Sunday. Today we just kind of hacked it around on the front, nobody played that great. But it never gets boring, it doesn't get old.

"It's nice to win. I hate to lose more than I love to win. I don't mind if someone else wins, I'll be as courteous as I can, but I hate to lose."

Of course, there are things that make winning difficult too, such as competing against buddies.

Benton, a four-time champion and Dyrck Fanning, a five-time champ, have been paired with Covington for almost all of his championship runs.

On Saturday, Benton made up three strokes to sit one back of Covington heading into the final round.

But a missed putt on No. 6 and tee shot that landed out of bounds on No. 9 by Benton smothered any chance for a repeat of 2008 when Covington won his fifth crown with a playoff victory over Benton.

Even though he got the victory, Covington hates to see his friends struggle.

"Scott hit a good tee ball but it didn't cut and it went out of bounds," Covington said. "He missed a short putt on No. 6 too. I really hated to see that. He hit it out of bounds and I made a lucky putt and that was pretty big."

He also has a decided advantage, the course itself. Covington knows Pinecrest well.

"It's a big advantage to step on a course and actually feel comfortable," Covington said. "Had I never played this course and you get on No. 1 and No. 9 and you got out of bounds left and right, I wouldn't hit my driver. But having played this so much, I really feel comfortable here. Especially when you're nervous you have that to fall back on."

Covington never got himself in trouble, cruising to a five-stroke victory.

"Records are nice," Covington said. "But there's nothing that beats wanting to win. And that's what it comes down to."

John Haskins and Fanning finished tied for fourth with a 1-under-par 215, and Tyler Ferguson and Bobby Campell tied for sixth at 216. Three-time champion Mark Kinlaw finished eighth with a 217 total.

Story of the

weekend

While Covington was winning his record sixth crown, he got a good look at Ian Locklear, a rising senior at Purnell Swett High who tied for second with Benton.

Covington came away impressed.

"Evidently, I may have a little threat coming from Ian next year," Covington said. "He did really good for being a senior in high school. I couldn't have done it. Well, I couldn't have put myself in that position as a senior, but if I did, I definitely couldn't have played that well.

"Looking at the situation, I think I was a little bit more nervous than he was out there."

"I think I played pretty solid all around - I scrambled nice," Locklear said. "It was fun. I don't know how to explain it. The pressure was on me all day.

"That makes it harder, but I prefer it. It makes me work harder and focus better. That's what it's all about."

When Locklear came in after his round, he received congratulations from everyone around the leaderboard.

"I think I can win next year," he said.

Locklear wasn't the only one representing Swett to do well.

Junior Austin Locklear won the first Junior Division title and senior Alex Dial finished in the top 20 in the Championship Division with a 229 total.

Ryan Bass, a Lumberton High golfer, finished tied for ninth with a 222 total.

Miller finally bests Hepler

It took a few years, but Stephanie Miller finally got the best of Lea Hepler at the Robeson County Golf Championship, edging the nine-time champion by one-stroke for her first title.

Miller entered the day with a four-stroke lead but Hepler made a strong comeback to make things tight heading into the final hole.

Both players hit their second shot into a bunker on No. 18, but only Miller was able to get it up and down to clinch the win.

Miller had a two-day total of 162, following her opening-round 78 with an 84. Hepler had an 82 and an 81 for a 163 total, and Susan Miller — Stephanie's sister-in-law — inished third with a 173 total.

"I was up-and-down all day," Miller said. "On No. 18, we were all in the trap and I got up-and-down to win. If I didn't get up-and-down, I probably lose."

Harris wins again

For the second time in three years, LeMark Harris walked away with the Regular Division championship.

Harris turned in a 76 on the first day, leaving him two strokes off the lead, but ground out an even-par 72 to claim the one-stroke win over Kelly Fipps.

Not bad for a guy who wasn't sure whether or not he would even play this year.

"This is a good way to end a vacation," Harris said. "I've been about 2,000 miles the past eight or nine days, out at the Grand Canyon. I didn't make my mind up to play until Monday, and I called Doug from New Mexico I'd be able to play. I love playing in this."

Fipps finished with a 5-over-par total of 149, and 2008 champ Warner Hall finished third with a 7-over 151.

McNeill wins Senior Division

Larry McNeill got his first Senior Division championship on Sunday, edging out 2008 winner Truman Lowry and Dean Brown by one stroke.

He had been close before, finishing second in 2008, but he finally got over the hump.

"Dean gave me a run for my money," McNeill said. "But I had a few things go

my way this time. I was fortunate to pull this thing out. I've been working

at it and practicing, and I finally won."

McNeill turned in a two-day score of 8-over-par 152 to hold off Brown and Lowry, who each finished with 153.

Austin Locklear won the first Junior Division championship over Connor Haskins on Saturday.