Taking the GPI from the Ross column and moving it to the Barker column is obviously not going to 'destroy' DJR.
This excercise has brought out some interesting dilemmas when it comes to restoration. But the restoration angle wasn't what sparked my interest and the original question, I honestly wanted to know who did what.
I read a quote from David McCullough the other day, he was asked what he thought the job of a historian was, and he said it was to show that nothing ever had to happen the way it happened. History could have gone off in any number of directions in any number of different ways at any point along the way.
When looking at tons of golf architecture history, that thought has crossed my mind on occassion, but I haven't thought about it that way often. But this thread did get me thinking that way.
In 1915 when Barker went back to Europe to help with the War, I think it could be argued he was the more prominent of the two architects (he and Ross) or at least on an even footing. He had Mayfield, Columbia, Arcola, Rumson under his belt. Like Ross he had collaborated with Colt in Chicago (Winnetka)--the difference being Ross constucted Old Elm for Colt, Barker co-designed Winnetka with Colt. He had also already ventured West, it was reported he designed or redesigned a course in Portland.
Barker was also making great strides in the South--historic Asheville CC (GPI), Richmond (Westhampton), Druid Hills, East Lake (redesign) & Brookhaven in Atlanta, and Palm Beach CC. And perhaps a few more.
If Barker hadn't gone back to fight, been wounded, never able to return to the States, would we be discussing the Barker Society's annual meeting at the Grove Park Inn in 2003?