David,
Has your uncle played many of the other sandhills courses? Wetlands are are not uncommon in the area. Pine Needles, Mid Pines, Southern Pines, the original Pinehurst #1, #2, #3, and #4, all had wetlands that were unavoidable in their routings. At Dormie, the Little River drainage that runs through the property would have been difficult, if not impossible, to avoid.