About Our Club

The Woodpeckers RFC was originally a Rugby Club founded in 1948 by undergraduates from Oxford and Cambridge, many recently retired from active duty with the British Army in Germany.

An original purpose of the Founding Fathers of the Woodpeckers was to give the opportunity to Oxbridge undergraduates to play overseas at a time when only the 'Blue' side toured outside the UK. However, many Woodpeckers went on to win their 'Blue' and also play for their country. One became a Lion.

They were a touring club with no ground, clubhouse, or regular fixture list, but were eventually recognised by the English Rugby Union for permanent membership on account of their outstanding contribution to the game.

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They became well known for pioneering the game of Rugby in several countries of war-torn Europe where it was in the early stages of development. Entirely independently, but at the same time, the French via their Rugby clubs were fostering a similar relationship with the Romanian Rugby Union as a form of soft diplomacy.

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In 1960 the Woodpeckers RFC ceased playing Rugby and transitioned to a Golf Society with a growing fixture list, often arranged by influential old rugby playing members. They continued to be a touring club promoting convivial and long-lasting relationships both with opponents and within the Club.

The camaraderie of touring remains today, sustained also by anniversary events. Fifteen midweek golf matches are arranged against a number of prestigious golf clubs in Scotland, Wales, Norfolk, Kent and the Home Counties. In 2023 the Club celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a fixture against the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club followed by lunch. This Club was the first to host the Woodpeckers RFC golfers in 1962.