Hi Rob-
I don't have a whole lot to add, unfortunately! You are absolutely correct about the 2008 Senior PGA playing ridiculously difficult. The story I heard is that they fertilized the rough a week or so ago before the event and the weather that week was - shocker- predominantly cool and wet and players were losing balls in the rough. It was crazy especially for the seniors.
Regarding the renovation I have not heard one negative comment from anyone. It has apparently been a tremendous success and I was told by a good source that it has brought in a significant number of new members.
Mark Fine- I believe you are correct about Merion, the word on the street is that everything all-in was in the neighborhood of $18 miilion. Oak Hill was $6 million or so I was told.
Malcolm - With the exception of the 4 new Fazio greens (5,6,15, 18) I believe the other 14 are all original Ross greens. They may not have the "humps and bumps" the west course greens have but they all have LOTS of movement in them.
John Lyon is now a married man and last I knew was pursuing an MBA, I want to say at the University of Chicago. I don't believe he's playing much golf and it seems like years since he last posted here.
-John