Many call that a "double penalty" where you have to simultaneously hit it high enough to lift it out of a bunker but low enough to keep it under trees for recovery. Palm trees make that easier than other species. Most frown on purposely designing that intentionally, but it happens. I think the idea that they added those because the longest hitters play well over the hazard is correct, and they didn't consider the mere mortals in the bunker.
The counterargument to these situations is that most players aren't going to reach the green from a fw bunker anyway (practically speaking) although in theory, it is the chance that they can that is exciting, so hurting top players was more of a priority to them. Others might say they would have to deal with trees if that shot was out of the rough, and with bunkers often presenting perfect lies these days, maybe they aren't enough penalty anyway.
All just a guess of course, since I don't know the situation.