Pat is probably right in saying that the construction of the golf courses he uses as examples have caused no direct, or real harm to the environment.
However, in many ways, the issue is not the ACTUAL harm caused by these courses during their construction, but instead the POTENTIAL for harm to their local environment, neighboring environment, or down-stream environments, that limits the construction of similarly bold features and golf courses in the contemporary world.
The 11th green at Merion, for example, hard by the creek, might not be allowed today without considerable setback requirements that would alter much of the charm of the green site. However, without current regulation/legislation that prohibits/limits such design strategies, and many others like it, there would open up greater possibility for construction mistakes that might harmful to the environment, especially with respect to erosion, the leaching of chemicals into the water supply, etc. But again, individual examples are not capable of measuring the issue. The problem would be if hundreds, even thousands, of golf courses were unregulated. There would simply be too much room for error.
Additionally, Pat, try though you may, there is no way to separate construction issues from maintenance issues; they are inextricably linked.