Bill,
The tee shots on 9 and 13 are also forced carries. 9 has to carry a couple of small creeks and a lot of fescue while 13 is over more wetlands.
When you were there, did you go into the men's locker room and look at the different routings that are on display. There were many options.
I happen to think that 18 is a wonderful hole because it can have such a huge impact on the round. I personally made every score from 3 to 13 on it. I saw Earl Anthony make a eagle to win a large sum of money from a guy and I remember a friend of mine who was 2-under coming to the hole walk off with a 76.
The tee shot looks a lot more intimidating that it is (it even looks easier from the back tee which is elevated than from the others). The fairway is over 40 yards wide. If you hit it left you get a flatter lie and shorter second, but put the hazard more in play. If you take it safely right the ball will be above your feet and the second plays longer. The layup isn't tough for anyone, but then the third shot is long if you want to get on in regulation.
The best part of the hole is that your third shot will either be from the tee
, from 170 or so yards, inside 100 yards or a putt.
The actual carry on the second shot is only about 40 yards of wetlands, but the layup and the fact that the fairway doesn't start for another 20 yards after the wetlands make feel a lot longer.
The green is nasty and the hollow left of it is no picnic.
I would like them to thin the trees on the right, just short of the green to give more shots.