Jim,
I am very excited as this is something that I actually know about and am not just pulling stuff out of my ass. I'd never heard about Ross being involved with any of the versions of Galveston CC. The current location is okay, it's got lots of water and the wind will test you throughout. Like Kyle said Moody Gardens is crazy windy, I've not played it since the renovation but I liked the old Galveston Island Muni. Right after they reopened it I ran into one of the main guys for Jacoben/Hardy, I asked him about the course and he looked at me and said, "You sound like one of those assholes from Golfclubatlas." I was surprised he said that but he didn't strike me as being very friendly.
One you leave the island you have quite a few options if you don't mind a short drive. I will make it easier for you and not send you into Houston.
Like Bill said, The Wilderness is very good I really think it's one of the most underrated courses in Texas, it's worth the drive if you have the time. Another one that's pretty good is Southwyck, it was designed by Ken Kavanaugh and was a really good course but the houses are to close now and it really takes away. Down on the southside of town a bunch of the municipalities have their own little course, the oil money helps. Bay Forest in LaPorte is fun, lots of water and very close to the bay. Battleground in Deer Park is very good and if you don't want to drive very far I'd go to the course in Texas City, Butch Harmon used to be the pro. One last tidbit, Beacon Lakes in Dickinson is the worlds longest fully lighted golf course, I think it's about 6,800.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.