Ronald,
for better or worse, that is always a factor in selecting your golf designer. I worked at a club for years, then the pro decided he should give the job over to a guy he played college golf with.
There are so few differences between designers (galls me to say it, but true) that its often the little things that make the difference in being selected. I suspect the biggest factor was NOT using Rees to avoid two Tillie/Rees courses in the same market. Bill has a nice resume of restorations (I think, only played one of his) and is qualified to do the job. Others were, too, but like I say, they have to decide somehow.