PM
I believe, "net-net" we're in almost in full accordance on #1 QR. I just believe #14 is a more satisfying strategic Par 5 in and of itself and where it comes in the round, but I would lower its score a might if it were the first three-shotter of the day. I just don't think 98% of players are quite ready to jump right into precise strategic play that #14 demands in greater quantity. Though given reflection on the whole thread and your specific comments, I'm willing to raise my score on #1 QR closer to 7.0 - it is a good hole..
I think it has become canonical axiom that the first hole of a course, that the first shot of the round be a little forgiving on the soul. I believe at one time or another the Grand Poobahs of architecture (Ross, Mackenzie, MacDonald and others) have all weighed in affirmatively on the need for a general sense of liberty and forgiveness on the first strike of the day. Even before the sound precepts of ODG, it just seems to be something that Golf "demands" in the experience of a round. You can screw around with imagination and wild landforms and yield compelling strategy throughout, but first let the poor guy/gal make a swing; so they have some confidence and provocation to meet all your other great architecture fairly. All of it comes back to St. Andrews, doesn't it? I've never been, but I have practically informed myself to the point I can smell the salt air.... and what is that tee shot like, even if you are playing the left handed course?
I'm not prepared to make a full defense of this briefly stated position - but I'm not unduly impressed by Baltusrol Lower (only 2 playings, 4 rounds caddying, US Open/PGA attendance). In that vein, #1 Baltusrol doesn't impress me much either. I know it's just a hodge-podge of personal circuitry, but doesn't it seem like that first hole tee shot is all over the place in golf....the "big downhill, bowling alley 5 with an OB wall on one side or the other?" Riviera has it, Metropolis has it, but even beyond those disparate citations, it feels like I play that shot all the time in the very beginning of the round...maybe I'm wrong and I'm lumping in some other holes I know of.
Cheers
VK