Where to Find Minigolf Nirvana
HOLLY NORTON; www.sparkweekly.com
(originally published June 16, 2004)

If you've flipped through the channels and seen miniature golf on ESPN recently, it was not a hallucination. You actually did see serious miniature golf action with spectators and quiet signs and everything.

(If you missed it, you missed a good laugh.)

Some of you may have found it inspiring and wondered where you could put together your own do or die miniature golf game.

We're here to help you find the right course for your game.

Paul Hemingway is the director of the Professional Miniature Golf Association, which originated in 1996.

Hemingway has been around since the PMGA's inception and he said he's noticed a recent change in miniature golf trends.

"Course owners are moving away from the gimmicky courses and moving toward more natural courses," Hemingway said.

Less pirate ship and more real grass.

"We're also seeing more family entertainment centers that include things like roller skating, video games and whatever else. It's more of an event now."

Well, lucky for you, the Delaware has all of the above.

From the oversized vikings at Viking Golf Theme and Water Park in Fenwick Island to the natural grass course at The Salt Pond Golf Club in Bethany Beach and the much-anticipated Blue Diamond Park in New Castle, Delaware has everything a tried-and-true miniature golf player it could want.

The seriousness level (or lack thereof) is a matter of preference for most miniature golfers.

Tobin Jarvis manages Paradise Falls on Highway One between Rehoboth and Dewey Beach.

"From what I've been told, it's one of the hardest courses in the area," the 27-year-old Jarvis said. "The layout of the holes is really challenging."

Jarvis boasted about the 16th hole.

"If you look at it, you wouldn't think it's the hardest," he said. "You tee off and ball comes right back at you.

"It can be a real career killer."

That's right. "Career."

Intense or not, Delaware courses are worth looking into.