If we are going to get into the "underated" or the "unsung" from the Golden Age or any time, we probably need to recognize some of those guys who actually put the rubber to the road for some of the great old architects and their courses. What we will perhaps never know because of the lack of material documentation is to what degree they were also "idea" men with architecture for the greats and their courses:
Her's a temp list I'd offer:
From the old days:
Crump's constant sidekick and foreman Jim Govan
Maxwell's constant on-the-ground guys The Wood Bros ("The Forgotten Man")
Wilson and Flynn's early foreman, the heavily imbibing guy who's name I can't recall now. Tell us Wayne.
Ross's Maples family
Ross's foreman Hatch
Thomas's Philly mentor Sam Heebner
Some of the modern guys of the same ilk that I know of:
C&C's "The Boys" (Bradley, Craig, Proctor, Axeland, Duncan--eg just those that I know)
Hanse's Jim Wagner
Forse's Jim Nagel
Doak's guys
Of the latter, if any of you ever get the opportunity to talk to J Urbina do NOT pass it up. That man is a walking innovative education on GCA, particularly greens! I will not forget the day Mayor Ott and I spent 20 minutes or so with Jim U on Maxwell's incredible 9th green at Pine Valley analyzing and discussing it with him. Ott only lived immediately next to that special green for about 37 years and he (and I) were just blown away by how Urbina analysed its detail and essence and explained it all to us. I don't think I'm mistaken when I say Jim mentioned it would not surprise him if Maxwell and his Wood Bros just free floated that beauty by eye and that was that. If that's the case, the likes of the Wood Bros were f...ing green designing and building geniuses, in my opinion. Perhaps the best there ever was.