Sean,
I think the green is in the vicinity of 11,070 sq/ft, but it's also got a fairly pronounced punchbowl like quality to it, and the area left of the green tends to kick the ball toward the green as well.
I think one would be hard pressed to state that the green ISN'T a forgiving green.
I know that the mound was controversial and like many controversial features at numerous clubs you have factions wanting their removal and factions lobbying to retain the feature.
It seems to me, that subsequent to Crump's death, that the course, as he had completed it, was almost sacrosanct.
Hence, if you wanted to remove a feature that Crump conceptualized, designed, built and retained until his death, how would you go about it in terms of popularizing the alteration ?
Simple, you'd have some declare that Crump always intended to remove it.
And that would give you the "anointing/blessing" necessary to remove it.
Crump knew the dire need for an internal feature on that green.
He understood that internal feature's function, which apparently some on this site don't understand.
It was a differentiator.
Remember, Pine Valley wasn't designed for the average golfer, it was specifically designed for the championship golfer.
Crump understood that and that's why he conceptualized, designed and built that mound, to challenge the championship golfer on the course's final hole.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
David Moriarty,
I should have stated, six CALENDAR year's