Chris:
This looks incredible! I am really impressed by ownership and membership's commitment to the club. So long as the feds don't kill the economy any more than they currently are, I am sure it will result in a great future for the club.
I know TD does not like predictions on golf courses, but I just don't see anyway that Dismal River is not in the conversation of greatest 36 hole private clubs at the end of this project. Plus, it is fun to speculate on such issues, especially on these message boards with fellow students of gca. So here it is.
I have not played Dismal River yet, but have followed your story closely and read almost every post on the club. I have played the 36 at Oakland Hills and Firestone and certainly think that DR will surpass them. Other notables include Winged Foot, Baltusrol, Olympic, Congressional, Whisper Rock and soon Ballyneal. In terms of the total experience, I certainly think DR will be at the top of the conversation, especially for us on this board who love the purest parts of the game in a natural setting made for golf (rather than the toughest test of golf or the best of "high society").
Speaking for myself, my first national membership will be at Dismal River. Unfortunately, I have to get my 5 kids through college before that becomes a reality. But I truly love what you are doing there.