Doug:
I can't remember the view of the GG ever being completely blocked, not from 17 anyway... but you'll be happy to note that due to a combination of man and nature, it is most definitely viewable today from 17. In fact it's one of the cooler views in golf, really.
In any case, I share your views re what they ought to do to the course, even if it means I'd have to pay twice as much.
It's a strange course as is, with some really odd holes, like you say, some good, some bad. But it is what it is and it would be a shame to take that "is" away too much. In fact, making conditions TOO GOOD would take some of that away also... but that would be acceptable, I guess.
I think of Lincoln like Fenway Park or Wrigley Field... put too many luxury boxes in there, pretty it up too much, and it's more comfortable for a lot of people... it just loses it's essential "Fenwayness" or "Wrigleyness", you know?
Thus my fears about making a world class 12 hole course where Lincoln sits. Yes, it COULD be wonderful. But what's there is pretty damn special as it is.
TH