Doug,
Your questions are pretty logical and as a par 5 it might make more sense, but you take what the land gives you. As it stands, the short cut route is about 400 vs 445. That translates to a 3 club difference which is generally enough to make a good golfer think about it, especially on the last hole. I will also be extending the back two tees a bit, so that the hole might be shortened a la USGA on some days to make it drivable. Along with 17 that might be quite a finish - depending on wind, one of the two could be drivable any given day.
The course is meant to be walkable and the greens and tees are as close together as I dare put them. The only longish walk is from 7 to 8 and originally, 7 was 9 and 8 was 1, but we got a case of the willies on making 9 a par 3. As always, I predict the first pro will suggest changing something in the routing, and I am leaving that to his discretion. In reality, it would be an easier walk, but the current numbering allows No. 2 to come back to the clubhouse, just in case a golfer realizes he needs to do....ah, do a number 2. Or 1.