I'm afraid I was unclear. I (rhetorically) asked what could motivate a successful architect (as in: economically successful with a full-time staff working for him) to build a modest golf course.
Mr. Doak and his folks appear to be doing just this at the former Mira Vista golf course in Denver (although how "modest" the actual course turns out to be, given the design team, is certainly in question!). As far as I know, Mr. Doak et. al. haven't necessarily invested their own money in the project per se, but might be termed "investors" in the form of a reduced design fee (forgive me if I misstate the situation, as what I know of the project had been mainly gleaned from this discussion group). The course itself is owned by the Colorado Golf Association, and was purchased for around $2 Million just two years ago. I don't know the ins and outs of that deal, but that dollar amount sounds like less than a real-estate developer would have been charged for the land.
So could this be called the "Do The Right Thing" business model? Have an organization that does a lot of good for a lot of people get a sweet deal on an existing lesser course and on the services of a quality GCA for a stellar rebuild, keeping the green fees low and providing an excellent venue for tournaments and educational programs. Hopefully it all results in a busy course that can still manage to make a dollar or three. I know I'll be there with bells on.........
Again, forgive me if I'm making a mis-statement of the particulars of the project.