THe Forest of Dean Golf Club is in mourning following the sudden death of former owner Edward Ludlam. He was 59.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned in Blackpool where Edward had moved to live with his wife Jayne.

Club president Don Jones said: "It's a big shock to us all. Edward was a colourful, larger-than-life character and the Ludlam name will always be linked to the club."

It was Edward's father Henry who started the golf club in 1974 on farmland he owned.

He originally ran the club with his wife Joan.

Edward was away at the time, but when Henry died in 1991 he returned to the Forest to help run the business.

Following the death of his mother Joan, Edward and his sister Kathleen took charge of things, until selling to Harry Kear in 2004. It was Edward who played the major role in developing the Bells Hotel.

Bells manager Benn Jackson knew Edward personally and professionally.

Paying tribute he said: "It's a complete shock. Edward captained the club in the Millennium and was our president for 19 years, from the early 1990s through to 2009 (Roy Sanzen-Baker was president in 2000 while Edward was club captain).

"As a person he was the life and soul of the party, but the biggest tribute I can pay to Edward is that he had a heart of gold.

"He would go out of his way to help you."

Roy Sanzen-Baker said: "Edward brought life into the club. He was eccentric, outgoing, gregarious and wonderful company.

"When you came into contact with him you thought 'wow, what a forceful man', but also what a nice man.

"You always knew when he was in the house and he would always brighten the place up.

"I was great friends with Henry and Joan Ludlam as well as Edward.

"Without the Ludlams there would be no golf club today."

The funeral will be held on Friday November 2 at All Saints' Church, Newland, Coleford at 12.15pm.