David Green, who has died at the age of 93, was among the first expatriates involved in establishing the Algarve as an international tourist destination. His main contribution was as director of golf at the new development of Vilamoura, which went on to become the largest private leisure resort in Portugal and one of the best-known golfing venues in the whole of Europe.
Born in London towards the end of the First World War, he served in Africa with the Royal Artillery during World War II. At the end of the war he was hospitalised for two years with tuberculosis.
For much of his career David was a hotelier. He and his wife, Jocelyn, ran a hotel in the historic and picturesque town of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
They moved to the Algarve in the Sixties, back in the days when this was a relatively unknown and remote region with no airport.
David's organisational skills, personable character and passion for golf made him an ideal choice as Vilamoura's first golf director. For 18 years, including the traumatic post-revolution period, he was in charge of all aspects of the splendid original 1969 layout that became known as the 'Old Course'.
Following the death of Jocelyn and his subsequent retirement, he joined the council of AFPOP as its first secretary. Again, as at Vilamoura, he was a trend-setter, devoting much effort to establishing and developing the fledgling organisation.
For all his community service and enjoyment of social occasions, David was a remarkably private person. An impeccably mannered gentleman, renowned for his sartorial elegance, he spent the last 20 years living quietly with his previously widowed second wife, Patricia.
He will be deeply missed by his beloved Patricia, her children Simon and Sarah, grandchildren Emma, Hayley and Maximillian, and close friends who will gather this Thursday at his Carvoeiro home to celebrate his life.
By Len Port
