Tom M
I don't want to divert things (although that might be a good thing
) ,however, Bethpage
IS NOT as you claim "a rebuild". From 6000 feet as you like to view courses it is closer today to its 1939 aerial then today's Cypress Point is to its corresponding aerial at opening day!
I have played Sea Island. It is clearly a new course. I've seen ANGC and its a new course every year. Please do not put Bethpage in the same category. To call it a rebuild is
historically inaccurate and you don't do that.
The 17th at Aronimink was the closest thing to typical RTJ at the course. The green is pretty darn good and those two humps in the back make positioning of the ball and putting really interesting.
I think redanman's comment about the current course having a pretty high (75) course rating but a modest 128 slope very telling. Its a course that anyone can play and enjoy. I believe that Ross would be pleased that his course could be described as such about 75 years after it was built.