Eric,
Since when does the length of time a course has existed matter whether it is a quality course or not. If that mattered then Forrest Park would be among the best courses in Hamilton County.
Comments like that are exactly why some people get turned off by this site. The credo of some people here literally should be that if the architect didn't die before 1955 then the course must be crap.
I love the Ross course. So don't mistake that fact. It is just my opinion the course at Sultans Run is better and I am not the only one that sees it that way. That does not mean I think the history of the course at French Lick is unimportant. That course is the most historically significant in Indiana in my mind. There is no denying that the course is a fine example of Ross' architecture, but let's not even pretend that it is in his top tier of efforts. As for challenge and beauty, I would dare say that Sultans is the equal to the Ross course in both regards.
As for what shapes my opinion, here is the short version. Three of the par threes are extremely long and very penal to the lesser golfer and are essentially the same hole, although the 13th provides some visual variety, it is still 245 yards from tee to green and must clear a a hazard to get there. The two par fives are just ok. The par fours are the heart of the course, but some of those are very similar like 1, 3, 10, 18. To be fair I love holes 2, 5, 11 and 12. Plus when you factor in the price it is not as good a value as Sultans Run.
I think the restored course is among the top 10 public access courses in the state and should be seen by anyone coming to the area, but stating anything beyond that is embellishing the facts. I will give you this, I think the greens at French Lick are much more imaginative, but they border on the edge of reason as all of the slope and contour almost eliminates any real strategic elements at play.