Hammerhead History

Text Box: Hammerhead History

Text Box: Rugby in the Golden Isles began in 1976 when the club was originally known as the “New Jerusalem” Rugby Club. After struggling through a disastrous year on the pitch, the club members decided that they had two choices; (1) get out of town and pretend rugby never visited the Golden Isles, or, (2) get a new identity with a name change. Since none of the members were keen on leaving, we changed our name to the Golden Isles Rugby Football Club and have fielded a side every year since 1976

Text Box: From 1975-1976 we played as an independent club and held matches with any club that would play us (it turned out they always scheduled us for their homecoming match). In 1977, we joined the Florida Rugby Union. This was done due to the lack of clubs in Southeast Georgia at the time. We stayed with the Florida Rugby Union until the winter of 1979 when some brilliant rugger from the University of Florida realized that Brunswick, Georgia was indeed in Georgia and not Florida (He confirmed this by looking in his Rand McNalley). Well, needless to say, we were out of Florida and once again playing as an independent. You ask, didn’t Georgia have a rugby union we could join? Well, they did but we took inspiration from how well Notre Dame did as an independent and we felt we could do the same thing. NOT! In 1982 we finally gave in to all the political pressure and became a member of the Georgia Rugby Union (we have since been in and out of the union, but are currently members in good standing).

Text Box: Some of the tournaments in which the club has participated are; The Florida Cup, Battleship tournament in Mobile, Cherry Blossom Tournament in D.C., C.A.T.S. Tournaments, Black Rose Tournament in Statesboro, Bold City Rugby Festival in Jacksonville, Nassau Thanksgiving Rugby Tournament, Several Sevens Tournaments and last but not least, we have participated in the St. Patrick's Rugby Tournament in savannah every year it is scheduled while our team is together. Our “International” exposure has been very good, due to our proximity to Naval Bases in St. Marys and Jacksonville. We have had the opportunity to play British Navy teams from the H.M.S. Illustrious, H.M.S. Cornwall, and several un-named subs. We have also hosted a touring side from Sherwood Forest, England, Bristol England, the Mar del Plata Club from Argentina, and a club from Windsor, Canada. At the conclusion of every spring season, the club holds its Annual Rugby Ball at the Satilla River. The annual event begins every Friday evening with “Male Bonding Night”. When we awaken (???) on our lounge chairs in the morning, it’s time for the wives, kids, and girlfriends to show up. A fun day at the river concludes with our awards ceremony and a big BBQ. Sit around the campfire that night and partake in some strange rituals! It ends up being a wild camping trip. Come join us in the celebrations.

Text Box: Golden Isles RFC’s biggest accomplishment thus far has been the success of the Annual Santa’s Seafood 7s Rugby Tournament. We started this tournament in 1990 with a total of twelve clubs. It now has grown to welcome twenty four clubs, from all over the United States, and we believe it is one of the finest 7s tournaments around. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the clubs for their participation, and we hope that all the visiting players and friends enjoy their stay in the Golden Isles. If you really like the area and would like to stay, contact Brent Nichols with GIRFC. Our club history would not be complete without mentioning two individuals whose lives were taken at an early age-David Ansley and Randy Dewey. The club was blessed by their presence, and it was their dedication to the sport of rugby, and their leadership qualities, that made Golden Isles Rugby what it is today. We feel their spirit at every match we play, and have named two of our team’s most prestigious awards after them.