Bernie,
I don't know the answer to that, but it happens frequently. Somehow, there is always the vague notion that your gca doesn't know all he thinks he knows, and the typical progression is from local architect, to regional architect, to famous name (whether overall big name, or one who has made a name in restorations, i.e., Andrew Green, Gil Hanse, and a few others). And if not hot gca names, then styles and theories also change.
I usually lay out potential implementation options, i.e., 1 year, 2 years, 4-6 years and a max of 9 years. I used to provide options up to 18 years (i.e., one hole per year) but few courses serious in redoing anything lay it out that far. In addition, the hole by hole approach is dying. You just can't get cart path, irrigation or even Better Billy Bunker crews out for a 1-2 hole job, so many courses are doing it by project type, i.e., usually irrigation (and drainage if affected to get all pipes in the ground), greens, bunkers, tees, paths, etc. Some items like forward tees and tree clearing can be done every year and incrementally since they don't close the hole.
Your question is one that has always steered me away from country club master plans as a rule. They are very frustrating to me. Also, I can tell how serious a club is about it by who makes the first call. If it's the pro or superintendent (especially if new to the course) they may go through with a plan, but have little intention on acting on it comprehensively. If the club president, long range planning chair, or greens chair calls first, it has a much more likely chance of actually moving forward to construction.