It started for Grantham (38), an Air New Zealand aircraft welder, when he gained a late entry into the New Zealand championships at Dunedin five years ago.
His first mentor was former international Rowan Brassey, who called him to Dunedin to be his pairs partner after international Gary Lawson was forced to pull out because of an accident involving his wife.
There was a vacancy in the singles and Grantham gained a late entry for that event as well and went on to win the title.
The win gave him automatic entry to the world champion of champions singles and he won the title when he beat Willie James (Swaziland) 16-3, 16-6 in the final.
But there is another side to the story because Grantham met his partner, Leanne Chinery, who was representing Canada in the women's singles at the same event.
She has since joined him in Auckland and has helped him develop his bowls.
Chinery (30) played in the Commonwealth Games and the Asia and Pacific championships for Canada and is now eligible for New Zealand.
She was third-equal in the women's singles at the nat-ional championships at Wellington last year.
Chinery's support and knowledge of international tournaments has helped Grantham prepare for next month's Asia and Pacific championships at Adelaide. He is lead in the triples and fours.
Of his selection in the New Zealand team for the first time he said: "It didn't hit me until a few days afterwards. After all the hard work I'd put in during the winter I felt confident that I would make the side."
He has been playing the sport since 1989 and is a member of the Onehunga and Birkenhead clubs in Auckland.
Grantham has set his sights on playing international bowls since winning the New Zealand singles title in Dunedin in 2007.
"I've always strived to represent my country at some sport and have been competitive at anything I do."
He has also been mentored by former international Danny O'Connor.
"Danny told me to keep my head down, work hard and I will reap the rewards," Grantham said.
He knows that a good performance will keep him in the team for next year's World Bowls in Adelaide.
"My goal is to wear the silver fern with pride I want to cement my spot in the New Zealand side and a good performance at Adelaide will do that."
He has worked hard on his fitness and has lost 10kg to get down to his playing weight of 80kg.
