Family and friends of a promising teenage golfer from Stevenage who was tragically killed in a car crash last year gathered at Knebworth Golf Club for a special tournament in his memory.
More than 120 players teed off in the tournament which raised funds to build a free practise golf course for under 18s, so others can follow in Jack Mudd’s footsteps by enjoying the sport from a young age.
Teams including players from Jack’s former golf college in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, paid to play in the memorial match and there was a meal and raffle in the evening with prizes including a rare shirt signed by former British golfing ace Nick Faldo – who Jack once met.
They were joined by teams of colleagues and friends.
Jack’s aunt Elaine Watts said: “Jack was such a keen golfer that we wanted to do something to honour his memory in the golfing community.
“I think everybody was really pleased. When something like this happens it makes you realise what a lovely guy Jack was.
“He was just a friendly, funny lad.
“We are hopeful that this will live on in his memory.
“He would have loved this – he would have been so proud.”
Jack’s dad, Dave Mudd, said the new course will be named the Jack Mudd Practise Academy and will be free for young golfers.
Jack, a former Stevenage pupil of St Margaret Clitherow RC Primary School and then John Henry Newman secondary school, was killed last October at the age of 19 after a blue Peugeot he was travelling in overturned in Preston Road, Gosmore, in the early hours of the morning.
A man from Hitchin, now aged 20, was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He is currently on police bail.
Jack was a member of Knebworth and Stevenage golf clubs and was a third year student at The Golf College run by world renowned golf coaches Denis Pugh and Paul Lyons. Unsurprisingly, the college team won the tournament.
Jack was planning to go to university in the US when his life was tragically cut short.
The practice area which will include a driving range, a bunker and a green, is already being constructed at Knebworth – with a series of fundraising events planned to help maintain it.
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