Tom,
In regards to your last paragraph...I don't think we are asking or advocating that stance at all. Rather, I would like to see more American golfers simply understand and/or appreciate a course designed in another fashion that our typical inland or parkland style of layout and play.
Firm and fast conditions can be okay, a ground game can be okay, BROWN can be okay...and it doesn't have to be on every course...but those that are deisigned with those characteristics inteded should be appreciated for such.
As an example...we have a public course here just West of Dubuque called The Meadows and is designed in a "prairie links" style as I like to call it...gently rolling/hilly terrain, devoid of most trees, tall native grasses lining the fairways, plenty of run-up opportunities, and (somewhat) undulating greens. I have a lot of folks tell me they are not too fond of the course becuase of the way it plays, and guess what...it does NOT play like the typical "target golf" courses we Americans have become so used to. I personally like to get out there for just to opposite reason...you have to actually THINK your way around the course! Wide fairways and no treees does not necessarily make a course easy! You've got to hit it to the correct part of the fairways, and maybe (god-forbid!!) even play your approach shot along the (gasp!) ground!
There are plenty of courses that already play in a "typical" American style of golf...and that does not need to change. But simply give these other designs (and designers) their due when they produce something out of the ordinary, special, and/or unique. We will all be better off for it.