I doubt a place like sand hills had a big impact, except for the golf architecture nerd... most players have never seen it
I think that the presidents cup 1998 at Royal Melbourne had a big influence...
Before that, North Americans had seen firm fast golf only on links courses . And the beauty of links courses is hard to expose on TV
Then at royal Melbourne in 1998, you see a firm fast yet amazingly beautiful, with trees and bunkers that are closer to what North Americans are use to see.
The course played tough but on was wide, receptive to running approaches, no water...
Vastly different than the overwaterred course at the time