The family of Jack Mudd, the talented 19-year-old golfer from Stevenage who died in a road tragedy last week, have issued a heartfelt tribute to him.

The Comet: Jack Mudd, 19, was killed in a late-night collision in Gosmore.Jack Mudd, 19, was killed in a late-night collision in Gosmore. (Image: Archant)

In a statement issued through Herts police, his parents Ann and Dave said: “To our beloved son, it is with pure devastation and broken hearts that we pay this tribute to you. You will always be our beautiful baby boy and we simply cannot imagine life without you.

“There is now a huge hole in our family. Your brother Mark and your sister Kirsty, Nanny Dunn and Pops Jennings and the whole family are in pieces and cannot believe that you have been taken from us all so tragically soon.

“You were an aspiring pro golfer and proud to be a third year student at The Golf College run by Denis Pugh and Paul Lyons, world renowned golf coaches.

“You attended St Margaret Clitherow RC primary school and then the John Henry Newman secondary school where you were an immensely popular pupil.

“It was at JHN where amongst all your friends you were lucky to have found and fallen in love at such a young age with Jess, your childhood sweetheart, who we welcomed into the family with open arms.

“Your life has been cut short by a tragic accident. You had plans to attend university in the US to continue your golfing career and had a bright future in front of you.

“Jack, you touched lives from all corners of the world through your love of golf and you were adored by all who knew you. You were kind and loving, and all your many friends loved you for your easy going, uplifting personality. You always saw the best in those you met and you sought to advise and support when friends were down.

“One of your many friends left this message: ‘I looked up to him as a role model and brother who grabbed life with both hands, he approached everything with a goofy smile and a huge heart. I am beyond proud to have had such a loving boy in my life.’

“You will remain in our hearts and minds forever. God bless.”

Jack’s life will be celebrated at a requiem mass at St Hilda’s RC Church in Shephall, Stevenage, on Friday, October 23, at 10.30am followed by a service organised by Jess and Jack’s friends at 11.45am at Harwood Park crematorium.

His family has requested that donations instead of flowers are made to a local organisation for underprivileged children.

Jack died at the scene after a blue Peugeot 106 he was travelling in overturned in Preston Road, Gosmore, in the early hours of Sunday, October 4.

The car had been heading south from Hitchin when it crashed at about 3am, with the other occupant was taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage with facial injuries.

A 19-year-old man from the Hitchin area has been arrested and bailed, with police appealing for witness to come forward.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or anyone who saw Jack in Hitchin town centre in the hours leading up to the collision, who can call them on 101.