Dennis Grall | Escanaba Daily Press Peyton Dube of Hancock watches her putt roll toward the hole on No. 16 green at Gladstone Terrace Bluff Golf and Country Club Monday. Dube shot 86, four strokes back of Paxton Johnson of Escanaba, to finish second in the age 16-18 division of the U.P. Junior Golf Association finals.

GLADSTONE — A pair of junior golfers added to their abundant links hardware here Monday, but perhaps the biggest story was the lack of participation.

Only 39 juniors played in the final round of the Upper Peninsula Golf Association’s annual tournament, with tourney director Tony Pouliot noting there were more spectators (parents, etc.) than players.

“That is the question of the day,” Pouliot said in response to why more juniors don’t participate in the season-finale.

Pouliot, owner/operator of Terrace Bluff Golf and Country Club, said “kids have a lot of outside interests tugging at them,” citing a variety of conflicts and school-sponsored sports while noting high school football practice also began Monday.

He said the five-course Delta County Junior Tour attracted 43 players this year and noted several major U.P. areas did not even have a participant here Monday.

Pouliot pointed out cost should not be one of those hurdles, noting the UPJGA entry fee of $20 includes a post-round meal, range balls, golf and a gift. He also noted junior golfers receive excellent playing rates during the summer, from no charge to $100.

“It is important that kids get reduced rates to entice them to do it,” said Pouliot. “Kids need to learn the game, so instruction would help.”

Success comes after instruction and with dedication, which was evident watching any of these youngsters swing a club Monday.

Paxton Johnson is a perfect example. The Escanaba High School senior has enjoyed a sensational three months, winning her third straight U.P. Division 1 high school title, capturing the U.P. Ladies Golf Association championship and winning today’s two-player age 16-18 division.

Bothered by a back ailment, she shot 82 to edge good friend Peyton Dube of Hancock by four strokes. Johnson also topped Dube in the UPLGA semifinals last month.

“There was no extra pressure. I just tried to focus on my own game,” Johnson said later. “I enjoy playing with Peyton. I get pretty excited playing with Peyton.”

The back restrained her Monday, noting she now uses a push cart rather than carrying her own bag. “it is a weird swing because it hurts,” she said.

She had a triple bogey on the front and a pair of double bogeys on the back side.

Dube, who won the U.P. D-2 prep title, is not intimidated by playing Johnson. “I know I can beat her,” she said, pointing to a better qualifying score at the UPLGA tourney. “I didn’t have as good a day as I would have liked. I had hoped I would do a little better.”

An incoming junior, Dube said her golf season is over because volleyball practice begins Wednesday, then she moves into basketball before playing golf and softball in spring. “I like playing a lot of sports. I’m glad I’m able to play as many as I can while I can,” she said.

Two of the boys’ winners are also prime examples of taking advantage of junior golf.

Rudy Peterson, who won the U.P. Division 1 prep title for Gladstone two months ago, had a sharp 1-under-par 71 to win the 16-18 division by three strokes over Tyler Bergwall of Marquette and Nate Rousseau of Escanaba. Peterson left the golf course to get ready for his first football practice at 5 p.m.

Peterson, a Terrace Bluff member, was frustrated to “leave a lot of birdies out there. And I didn’t putt well. They just lipped out. Today I hoped to be in the 60s but I had too many bogeys for that to happen.”

Another example is Bryson Mercier of Powers, a member of Hermansville Wild Pines Golf Course who has enjoyed enviable success at junior events in Green Bay and Norway. He won the 14-15 division with a nifty 74, falling just short of taking the overall best score and big trophy.

“I’m not disappointed. I was in position after the front nine (par). It would have been nice to have a better back nine to give it a better run at least,” he said.

Mercier, along with Rousseau, teed off this morning in the U.P. Golf Association men’s tournament. “I’m not going in expecting anything big,” said Mercier, noting he is trying to be realistic as one of the two youngest players in the field.

Award winners:

Age 16-18 boys: Rudy Peterson, Bluff, 71; Tyler Bergwall, Marquette, 74; Nate Rousseau, Escanaba, 74.

Age 16-18 girls: Paxton Johnson, Escanaba, 82; Peyton Dube, Hancock, 86.

14-15 boys: Bryson Mercier, Powers, 74; Scott Solda, Norway, 81; Kyle Maki, Houghton, 81.

12-13 boys: Hayden Rockhill, Munising, 36; Brock Taylor, Marquette, 38; Jace Moore, Marquette, 40.

12-13 girls: Redict Husing, Iron Mountain, 58; Ella Pond, Marquette, 73.

10-11 boys: Cooper Pigeon, Newberry, 42; Bowden Moore, Marquette, 46; Jack Pond, Marquette, 51.

8-9 boys: Dylan Pond, Marquette, 55.