Back to the Illinois Fighting Illini Newsfeed

UI Open leader a unique study

Golf is a stressful sport, but even the most high-stakes situation on the course can’t really compare to Ben Crane’s full-time job.

Crane, the UI Open leader after one round, works for the U.S. Army as an officer in explosive ordinance disposal operations. Simply put, he disarms bombs.

The 30-year-old Crane shot a 2-under 70 on Saturday to hold a 1-stroke lead over Tim Hoss Jr.

Crane, a Judah Christian graduate and former Parkland golfer, served in Afghanistan from February 2010-March 2011. He now lives in Tennessee and is back in town visiting family while playing the UI Open for the first time in seven years.