FAU professor hopes to ace Stephen Curry’s mini-golf show

Eric Chiang has been playing mini golf for most of his 42 years.

Whether it was at mini golf parks in Indiana where he grew up, or in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach near his Fort Lauderdale residence, Chiang enjoys the game with friends.

The Florida Atlantic University economics professor will get to show off his skills on ABC’s new mini-golf competition show “Holey Moley” which airs 8 p.m. Thursdays. Chiang will appear in the first hour of the show’s season finale on Aug. 22.

Produced by NBA star Stephen Curry, who is also a talented golfer, the program tests contestants from across the country on a super-sized course dotted with 10 over-the-top holes and outrageous obstacles. Some of the extreme elements include a giant spinning windmill, an elevated loop, big rolling logs and a chilly lake.

“It’s mini-golf meets (America) Ninja Warrior,” said Chiang, referring to another athletic competition show on NBC. “It’s like taking a mini-golf hole and making it 20 times larger. It makes for a very adventurous golf course.”

Episodes also features celebrities who compete with or distract the golfers. In one episode, saxophonist Kenny G played music next to putters to throw their game. In another episode, a drill sergeant barked in the ear of players trying to make his shot.

The end of each episode features three finalists who face off on Mt. Holey Moley to win the $25,000 prize, a trophy and a special plaid jacket.

Chiang heard about the show’s casting from a friend. For his three-minute video submission, he and some buddies traveled to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and recorded themselves playing, having a good time and performing some trick shots.

“Climbing a fence and hitting with your left hand to show how fun mini golf can be,” Chiang said.

He was surprised and excited when he heard back.

“For me, it was a thrill of being invited to the show,” recalled Chiang, who flew out to Los Angeles to record his episode, which was filmed on the former set of ABC’s “Wipeout” summer show. “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

In his episode, titled “Mother Putter,” Chiang will face another golfer named Eric Fluty from Albany “who share(s) not only a name, but also a fashion sense!” according to ABC’s description of the episode.

“The show’s producers had us wear identical matching outfits - a stereotypical golf player with an argyle vest, shorts, and long white socks,” recalled Chiang.

They will be playing the “Arc De Trigolf ” hole, which features elevated turf.

Curry also pops up in the episode for one of the challenges.

“That was a lot fun. I got to meet him and I got to play a hole with him,” Chiang said of the Golden State Warriors star.

So how did he do? Chiang can’t say whether he wins, to avoid any spoilers. But he noted that if he were to claim the $25,000 prize, he would donate it to FAU for scholarship money for students.

ERIC CHIANG/COURTESY Eric Chiang is a contestant on ABC’s “Holey Moley.”