The notion that 9,000-yard (heck, even 8,000-yard) courses are realistic as near-future venues for professional golf is absurd, unless there is a staggering jump in average driving distances, which have been fairly flat for about a decade now. Actual data seems to point to a conclusion that players are hitting their clubs about as far as they're capable of. I guess all bets are off if the USGA lifts the ban on Iron Man super-suits and rocket-propelled ProV1s...
Until then, all talk about runaway course yardages will mysteriously die down when the Tour goes through Harbor Town and Hartford.
The gaudy total back tee yardage number is mainly a marketing strategy, and Jim Justice has succeeded, based on the way this thread has gone so far. But secondarily, if/when the course does host a championship, those in charge of setup will be able to have different holes play at different yardages on different days. I thought that was the cool thing these days, no?
But anyway, the best thing about that article: the photo of the ceremonial groundbreaking. Look at the massive piles of dirt on Palmer, Player and Nicklaus' shovels! They're still competing with each other to this day. Amazing, telling shot.