I'm pretty sure it was designed by Thomson Wolveridge and Perrett. Even their staff were not allowed access to the course, and only high rollers get to play the course. I seem to recall someone telling me that it was in the Greenkeepers contract to play the course 3 times a week... and he had played the course more than anyone else. They did a lot of earthworks and planting around the perimeter of the course so nobody can see in from the road.
What is true and was is myth is hard to know though.