In my book, "Golf... it's a funny game" I wrote of Merion in a similar manner.
My words...... "I don't usually assign a gender to a golf course, but to me, Merion has an unmistakable aura of femininity. All subtle curves, inimitable style, elegance and grace. It's the Audrey Hepburn of golf courses. Beautiful to photograph and beguiling to play."
I saw a similar quote to that which started the thread in a recent history of Merion, but that was two years ago when I came across and that might be were the quote in question came from, although I am not sure of the author. At the time I just thought the course struck us both in much the same way.