PUTARURU CLUB BEGINNINGS

Peter Kraakman is a founding member of the Putaruru Bridge Club, which started in 1959. Connie Kraakman followed a year later with encouragement and lessons from Joe Van Dyk.
Between them they have put many years of work into the club.

Peter was President of the club for four years from 1995 to 1998 following several years as a committee member.
He took responsibility for the maintenance of the building for several years and even painted the whole outside one year with the help of two members husbands. He also went up Monday afternoon for many years and set the rooms up ready for evening play. Peter has always embraced new players and partnered them in competitions.

Connie served several years on the committee and during that time took on the job of being base person for finding partners and ascertaining numbers for evening play. She was also director of the evening meetings for many years. She has also encouraged new members and played with them.

Together they have opened their home for extra games to help beginners. They have always had the clubs best interest at heart and participated in all activities, when possible, throughout the years.

Between them they have given almost 100 years to the Putaruru Bridge Club. They both were honoured by the club and given Life Membership at the end of 2014. May they have many more happy years playing Bridge.Peter & Connie Kraakman