Matt,
I'd like your opinion on Bandon Dunes using this theory. Kidd was tasked to build the first course at a resort which had an original prospectus of nine holes a year for seven years. The resort is out-of-the way, difficult to reach, but the owner wanted it to become a
Destination. Keep in mind that at the opening the course was pristine and much more penal, and the vast majority of American golfers had not experienced links golf except for the Open telecast and just a few publications and books.
Did Kidd deliver what Keiser wanted? In retrospect, I think most definitely. If Bandon Dunes had been less commercially successful would Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails and Old Macdonald even have been built? It kept bringing repeat business and we have DMK to thank for what followed.
Now I'll have to go and read further back in the thread.