Keen golfer, boat lover and owner of Dudsbury Golf Club, David Braban, who was a beloved husband, loving father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 9 aged 78.

David was born in New Milton on 29 April 1939, the youngest of three children.

His father was a prisoner of war during the building of the bridge over the River Kwai and he died on the last day of the war.

From a young age David witnessed his mother’s struggle to raise three children on her own which gave him the drive and ambition to succeed in his life. From the age of eight, he was working and putting money on the table for his beloved mum.

David started his career as a builder when he left school and went on to do his apprenticeship with Peart Brothers Glaziers and it was here that he gained his experience which would lead him into the glass industry.

Due to a legacy left to his mum, she was able to give him £300.00 when he was still young which he wisely spent starting Central Glass in his aunt’s shed at the back of her garden.

Central Glass grew from strength-to-strength due to David’s hard work and diligence, becoming the leading independent glass manufacturing company south of London.

This resulted in him opening a new premises in Norwich Road, Bournemouth.

He then sold the Norwich Road site and purchased the old Piper Pie Factory site which became Central Glass, until he sold it in 1984. At this point, David decided to move to America whereby he took up his love for golf on a full-time basis.

Upon returning to the UK he struck gold by meeting his beloved Beate who owned her own nursing home. The couple were married for 29 happy years.

Together they became a force to be reckoned with and proceeded to develop the Avonwood Nursing Home to its fullest potential, before selling it in 2003 when this challenge was complete.

The couple then purchased Magna Nursing Home and after lots of renovations and hard work they had an offer which they could not refuse.

They had planned on retiring at this point, but they were told all about Dudsbury Golf Club which proved too good an opportunity for them to miss.

They soon fell for the club in Ferndown and with David and Beate’s business acumen and vision, alongside lots of renovations and investment, they have created the award winning Dudsbury Golf Club Hotel and Spa as it is today.

The turnaround is highlighted by the news earlier this year that Dudsbury won the prestigious Golf Club of the Year prize at the 2017 Club Mirror Awards.

Judges said the club excelled in the fields of course condition, facilities and customer service.

Staff at Dudsbury said: “Making his deals until the end was Dave’s final legacy and this will carry Dudsbury forward for future generations...rest in peace our king of clubs. David was a kind gentle man with a big heart his kindness touched everyone he met. He was a good friend to us all, we loved him, his cheeky smile and his twinkly blue eyes. He will be dearly missed.”

Wife Beate added: “I have lost the love of my life, my best friend, my soul mate thank you for my wonderful life and everything you have done for me. Rest in peace my beloved Dave.”

David’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, February 28 at 1.30pm at Wimborne Minster Church, followed by a celebration of his life at Dudsbury Golf Club. Family flowers only.

Donations can be made by cheque payable to Parkinson’s UK c/o Nicholas O’Hara Funeral Directors, Somerleigh Court Funeral Home, 38 Rowlands Hill, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1AW.

As a mark of respect to David Braban all areas of the Dudsbury clubhouse and course will be closed on February 28.