Dan,
I was thinking more along the lines of the principals' silence.
That's really a good question. Why should golfers care what non-golfers think about golf and the golf business?
Is it just developers and those in the business who are best served by good relations between golf and environmentalists?
I don't think so. One example: Excessive environmental considerations and planning/permitting can add costs which are passed on to the golfer. Often these concerns come from non-golfers with a lack of understanding.
Great question. I'll have to give it more thought.
In this specific case, if it's truly a problem of over-building, are the other golf clubs speaking up?