Niall, I actually meant no disrespect to my friend Rich Goodale on this matter, which I'm sure he knows. And, I only have his fine book on Royal Dornoch, and not either his book on Carnoustie or the subject at hand, his book on "Experience St. Andrews". So it is a bit unfair to say Rich has no bona fides on the matter.
Yet, I can't shy away from the notion that despite Rich being a fine am player, and having made a study of TOC, at St Andrews-resulting in a book, in my opinion it still doesn't come up to the level of expert credibility that Geoff Ogilvy has on the matter.
It is well known fact for years since he has been on the golf scene that G.O. is greatly emmersed in the subject of GCA, and is a respected commentator on historical and the classic aspects of the game and the courses. The hypothetical I posited to Terry of who would he consider the greater 'expert witness' in a case of tort liabilty brought by the citizens of St. Andrews over violation of a trust covenent to preserve and protect TOC against the R&A, was something to cast the discussion along.
And the point is also well taken about the Good Dr. not exactly being a skilled player, as reverse rationale to my posit that G.O. is an elite player compared to Rich, which doesn't necessarily give automatic credibility one way or the other on ability to design or commentate. But, in my opinion it is a factor among many.
I simply disagree with Rich's recent line of comment about the tempest in the teapot and that all is brewing nicely now, and others that don't think the process and rationale behind the hasty effort to alter TOC was egregious in context of 'trust' and notion to preserve and protect one of the most iconic venues as the cradle of golf.