Tim:
In answering your question let me just say that some of the biggest whiners are the low handicap players who "talk" a good game but often somehow have amnesia when it comes time to play from the big boy tees.
I've played with many a fellow who could shoot up a storm on the regular home town track, but when they were taken out to Bethpage Black, to name just one course, they were screamin like a stuck pig when the subject of playing the "entire" course came up. You usually got the usual rants and raves about "fairness" and all such other nonsensical drivel.
In my mind this subject is no less applicable to many of today's so-called "world class players." They just love the concept of a birdie-feast, but watch how many of them usually whine when conditions move in the other direction.
What the PGA did to Oak Tree for that major event in 1988 was nothing less than criminal. Here is a course that on quite a few of the holes the tees were nearly at mid-length. I was there and saw it with my own eyes. The PGA brass was quite afraid if the typical Oklahoma wind blew (it did not for the entire event) and the "real" back tees were used the pros might still be playing there. My response? Isn't that what is supposed to be determined in a "major" event??? If "these guys are good" then prove it on a test that demands it -- pure and simple in my mind.
It's time for the big boys to show the kind of game on a course that will test them big time. The Straits Course will do that if played from the listed "black" tee length of 7,288 yards.
And, I would urge the PGA to keep all the par-5's as they were meant to be played -- none of that gimmick "let's change the 'weak' par-5's into long par-4's kind of stuff."
I give Pete credit in having the foresight in having a number of holes have "extended" back tee distance so that if necessary these holes can be played at additional yardage if circumstances warrant or the technology surge continues unabated. This same situation exists at The Ocean Course, but let me hasten to add that I don't believe you need to play the entire course there at I believe 7,700 yards to accomplish a "balanced and thorough" test of golf. However, let'ssee some long iron or even wood approaches. To me that's entirely appropriate and should be part of the examination.
The Straits has some of the most demanding psyche out par-3's I've seen. Get some wind blowing off Lake Michigan and I can tell you that plenty of players will behave like deer in the headlights. To wit -- push the pin to the back right on the par-3 12th and you better decide if you have brass ones or parakeet ones in shotting for the flag. Ditto the ultra-demanding par-3 17th!!!! Also, make sure the 18th is played from the extreme tips so that players will really have to decide if carrying their tee shot over the deep end is something they have the spine for.
The PGA unfortunately has shown a tendency in their flagship event to be more concerned with providing avenues for scores even when conditions could have been stiffened (just remember Medinah on a few of their holes).
What makes the Straits so unpredictable is the fickle weather conditions. I've seen the Straits when the fog is as thick as New England clam chowder and I've played the course when the wind just hammered you on every swing. If brutal weather conditions happen then appropriate decisions need to happen in terms of course set-up. But, if the weather is solid then make the boys earn it.
As far as your last question is concerned ... from what I've seen of Dye courses he does provide a lessening of severity for the higher handicap player ... provided they play from the tee boxes their handicap demands. The biggest ironic thing I've noticed on more than a few occasions is that a number of low handicap players opt to have "less" of a challenge to show they can "score" and many times the high handicap player will seek the "once in a lifetime" event from the more rear tee positions. I've got a few friends who fit this description to a tee.
The Dye courses I've seen do provide reasonable demands for the higher handicap players, but ones proportionate to their ability. It's never easy for any architect to accomplish this all the time because handicap levels do not necessarily reflect the type of game a player may possess (i.e. there are high handicap players who do hit the ball long but often stray and there are low handicap players who are precise and max out their games through a deft short game).
Hope this helps ...
