Grant and Bacon win Barns-Graham Cup

Darryl Grant (right) and Arthur Bacon won the 2019 Gisborne Motors Barns-Graham Cup men's pairs at the Poverty Bay Golf Club. Picture by Paul Rickard

DARRYL Grant’s name was added to a select list while Arthur Bacon may well have made history in winning the 2019 Gisborne Motors Barns-Graham Cup men’s pairs at Poverty Bay Golf Club.

Grant and his veteran partner defeated Hamish and Tim Williams 1-up in the handicap matchplay final.

It was the second time Grant had won the BG — one of the club’s most sought-after men’s trophies. He and Dan Cook won it at their first attempt in 2009.

Bacon, at 86, could be the oldest champion in the 68-year history of the cup presented by John Barns-Graham in 1951.

Grant, off an 11 handicap, was the mainstay of the pair’s successful run, with Bacon (26) chiming in at vital times.

Bacon, however, saved his best to the final — playing seven under his handicap, including a par-4 on the difficult 16th, getting a shot, to bring the match back to square after the Williams combo led 2-up after 11 holes.

All-square playing 18, Grant showed his composure to slot a 12-foot downhill putt for par. Bacon narrowly missed his par putt for the outright win — getting a shot — but Hamish Williams was unable to make his putt for par, which would have sent it to extra holes.

Bacon went one better than his runner-up effort with the late John Scott, although Scott was present in spirit as most of the clubs in Bacon’s bag came from Scott’s set.

Top qualifiers Richard Foon and Alister Jennings defeated Gray Clapham and Alex McGregor 2 and 1 in the Bryan Cup subsidiary final.

Bryan Read and Murray Smith won the Barns-Graham Plate.