I hear that Ray, it had to have been a difficult project with the landfill, the quarries, and all the dirt being trucked in from the Big Dig.
Concerning GL, I might have to dust off that old chestnut, "It is what it is."
Like I said above, the course isn't all bad, but there are a number of holes where you just scratch your head.
It's ranking of #20 in Mass., and in the 60s in the top 100 US public is laughable at best, but I fully admit that I have a slight bias towards old and quirky as opposed to new and brawny. I would not, however, call GL innovative in any way. It seems to have several good "showcase" holes that the other holes are shoehorned around. It sounds like this was the best option with the difficult building conditions available. I suppose several standout and several puzzler holes are better than 27 mediocre or bad holes. After seeing all three 9s, I think the middle 9 is the best, which was the back nine on the original 18. I was hoping the new 9 would help make a better 18 than the original, but I don't think it does. The new nine is wider than the other two which creates some fun in the wind, but there are the obligatory 2-3 strange holes on that 9 too.
Great 1 on #9-Granite Anthony, but I think it is by far the worst hole of the 27. It sets up right next to the clubhouse to be the most important and best hole on the property, but in 8-10 plays and two google-earth measuring-tool research sessions, I have yet to figure it out. I think driver there, your 1 notwithstanding, is suicidal there. I have hit every club from Driver down to 4-iron into the clubhouse quarry. I almost think at this point, 6-iron-wedge is the play. There really is no landing area directly over the quarry, and you can never see where your ball goes so you can learn for the next time...