I re-read Ran's interview with Steve Smyers and he certainly sounds like someone who has the sensibility to design a great links course. I don't think I've played any of his courses. He seems like someone who is steadily rising in the business; has he not had great land to work with in the past? I looked at the website for his Lochenheath course in Michigan--it seems to have potential. At any rate, it'll be interesting to see what they come up with in Iceland. And what Faldo creates at Bartra Island in Co. Mayo.