Wayne, I wasn't there, so I cant say for sure how the hole played, but I seem to recall reports that the approach was blind.
And the photo is far from dispositive. Notice the people watching from front of the green, they appear to be leaning on and peering over a mound. Also notice that the same mound continues to the left of the spectators, and partially blocks visibility of the bunker on the right. Also notice how much lower the golfers are that the spectators, one can only see the top of the tent behind them on the right. To me the green appears to have been at least somewhat of a punchbowl shape, which would increase the blind nature of the hole.
Also, as you are aware, the Flynn sketch of the hole shows three mounds in the front bunker. Also notice that the staircase up from the road. It looks like about a 6 ft. incline doesn't it?
Was there an offsetting decline on the other side of the road? I don't know.
Also, if I recollect correctly, at least one of the early accounts described the land sloping down substantially into the green.
But like I said, I wasn't there. So all I can go on are the various accounts of the hole.
Findlay, Lesley, et al thought it was an Alps. And who am I to disagree?
But I am getting ahead of myself . . .