Looking through my notes and for the sake of completeness: Steel did say Ross deserved full credit; however, he also wrote, "It is a question of apportioning the credit which, in spite of the photo, is not easy."
Regarding Braid, he did design Girvan's course just down the road. Wonder if that connects in any way.
Does anyone have access to Longhurst's writings? I don't but recall he was familiar with pre and post war courses. There might be something in there.
Mark