Lou,
Glad to see you have some of Geoff's books on the shelf.
One of the best things you can do to answer a lot of questions is go back to the Captain. I don't think there is better source for what was being done at Riviera, LACC, Ojai, La Cumbre and others at the hands of Captain Thomas. He was a gift to golf in Southern California.
So let me ask this. Have you at least opened up the Captain since you were out here last year? The reason why I ask is simply because with all of it fresh in your mind, you would have had an even better understanding of the course(s) if you went and reviewed it again. (The individual sections on each course you played.) Geoff's writing and drawings are pretty descript on what was going on there, as well as the oblique aerial photo showing some of the hole in the distance which would better allow you to see just how bad Marzaltov screwed-up.
Sorry for the backhanded jab there earlier Lou. You have to admit you have probably had it coming.