Each week, a dedicated group of mini golf enthusiasts gathers on the Ocean City Boardwalk for the O-Street Mini Golf Summer League. With just a putter, a ball and a few rules, players enjoy a mix of friendly competition and fun, all while earning points toward the end-of-season championship.
Aaron Kaminski of Linwood is president of O-Street Mini Golf, a South Jersey-based miniature golf community. What began 12 years ago as a casual meet-up among friends has grown into a regional powerhouse. Today, the group includes players who have competed professionally, while also nurturing amateur talent and camaraderie.
On the grounds of Tee Time Golf in Ocean City, Kaminski explained the league’s casual and creative rule set. “We do the fun mini golf rules, so to speak. Everyone putts at the same time, and there are a lot of defenses in play,” he said. One popular twist is the “Shake N’ Bake” rule: if a player’s ball is hit on the first shot and lands in a better position — or even goes in the hole — that player scores a hole-in-one. “The first shots are always interesting,” Kaminski added.
A graduate of St. Augustine Prep and former collegiate swimmer at Drexel University, Kaminski says he’s always been highly competitive. “If I don’t have an outlet, you and I walking would become a competition.”
His passion for mini golf has taken him around the world, both as a tournament participant and content creator for the O-Street Mini Golf YouTube channel. He even appeared on the ABC reality show Holey Moley. “That is the most unique thing I’ve ever done,” he said.
Kaminski’s favorite course? Ahlgrim Acres in Palatine, Illinois — located in the basement of a funeral home. “To schedule a tee time, you have to call the funeral director and coordinate around their funerals,” he said.
The O-Street Summer League spans 10 weeks, with each game played at a different course along the Ocean City Boardwalk. This offers a variety of challenges and environments. “Every course is a little different. It caters to different skill sets,” Kaminski said.
To participate, players pay for their round plus a small facility fee that helps cover trophies. Players who win a round or earn 20 cumulative points qualify for the championship. “It’s advantageous to come to as many league games as possible—not just if you’re trying to win the whole thing,” Kaminski noted.
League rules are simple: bring your own putter and ball, no cell phone use or cursing during games, and most importantly — have fun.
For more information, visit www.o-streetminigolf.com, or check out the O-Street Mini Golf YouTube channel for course reviews and league highlights.
