...i want to first state that this thread is a lament ...[pause].........................now let me digress....
they could [generally]design routings and corridors based on strategy.[real estate??,that was something to consider around the edges ,if at all].
they could design corridors wide when needed [irrigated fairways were not a factor].look at the plans of thomas ,ross et al]......in fact , alot of thier original designs were 'narrowed' when single row irrigation was added later.
they could push or pull dirt ,shape ,add drainage and grass.[USGA greens ?,storm water runoff ,retention ,soil disturbance,permits, permits ,etc ,etc ?]........
they could grass it with whatever ,as long as it was green [at least part of the time]and you could walk ,gang mow or sickle it....prior to the grass monoculture of today ,and the flymo ,weedeat, pump it green because thats what they think they want mentality that [generally] exists today.......
environmental concerns??[golf was considered 'good' and beneficial for greenspace and recreation].....currently a black brushed ,sorry story at times....
cart paths[cart paths ??]
they had greenskeepers [superintendants required now]...
.....we could still build them [probably at 25% of the cost of todays courses].
.....but would they come ? ..... i doubt it......[i would].
....that's my lament.......