That's exciting about North Fork. Looking at aerials of 1954 compared to 2017, there seems to be the same routing. Way fewer trees in '54, and greens and greenside bunkers seemed way more square, with series of small bunkers ringing the greens tight. More like a Golden Era "short" idea, but in '17 much more conventional looking amoeba(y) bunkers. Just a hunch, but seems like a really fun play. Also, maybe some of the square greens and surrounding bunkers have Emmet's hand in play, if he did collaborate/contribute/conceive of the second 9?
I read a few online articles, and nothing conclusive, but on Island's End, it opens in 1960 as a 9 holer, which is the present back 9. Construction was credited to Tom Heron, "a PGA Professional", with the second 9 (present day front) added in 1963. Assuming same construction credit, but have not seen that. I can't find much on Tom Heron - PGA. I will keep working on why Herbert Stong is credited as course architect.
I really enjoy Island's End, and I think it really becomes interesting at 14. That's a short par 5 that puts you in position with a good tee shot to reach in 2 easily, but a bad tee shot means a definite lay up. 15 is a short, but no way driveable par 4 dramatically up the dune/ridge that overlooks the LI Sound. The bluff is the only elevation change on property, and 15 play up the ridge thoughfully and creatively. (Just like Seminole, right? Ha. Never played it). 15 is short, but a severe back to front green that makes being above the hole a likely 3 putt. 16 is the hole they promote the most, plays along the ridge to the East with the LI Sound all on the right. It's a punchbowl esque green that runs off the ridge from front right to back left. I'm almost always short on the 203 yd shot, and that chip to the front pin positions are nearly impossible. 17 you tee off the ridge back toward the clubhouse, par 5 with only opening on the green the front right. True 3 shotter. And a pretty epic par 4 closer on 18. They are really good golf holes. Takes awhile for the course to build up to them, but it's a fun finish.
I've had a summer home on the East End of LI for 5 years. I'm now a full time 2020-21 resident, but from what I understand, Island's End has come a long way improving it's course. People there are great, has a really cool community vibe, people having food/drink on the back patio which are steps to the range, and 10 tee box, which apparently was 1. I see plenty of good players, plenty of famllies, lots of women golfers, everyone seems pretty happy. (Don't tell anyone). I did read at one point they accepted thousands of tree species as a sanctuary. I don't think the trees overly interfere with play, but it certainly would be more interesting to trim out 50% or more of them. Just the kind of place with amazing potential, but good fun as it is currently. (you do see a few grassed over, ghost bunkers with trees growing out of them that are intriguing. Right of 13 fairway. Left of 14 fairway right at the dogleg turn.). Those restored bunkers would be more interesting to me vs the trees.
The front and back do feel different, but there are a couple of clues like 8 green and the tiers, 9 with it's dramatic front to back slope, that feel really tasteful and not the run of the mill public course presentation. Ton of those in Suffolk County, and most of them are fine, but Island's End feels like there's a deeper story there.