Tom, I am not going to get into a debate with you on a site you are no longer involved with – I will just complete this reply.
Talk about being selective, you just chose to find a mule to post your comments as and when you want to – shame on you Mike, he is using you.
As for Lahinch, thanks, you just confirmed Old Tom changed the design, the report states that he changed the design. No Radical changes, yes, it was not a re-design, but modification were made. This is where you fall down, set ideas, no movement, your opinion and conclusion are the only ones.
Clearly Old Tom is credited with modifying the design, stated in the report you posted through Mike. But do you expect an old man in his mid 70’s to get his wheelbarrow and spade out to modify the course himself? Who undertook the actual labour is not mentioned but I would suggest that it was the Professional of Lahinch a MaKenna who with his team put the modification into place. Later on the work was rightly put down to McKenna who did the actual installation (not suggested the changes) but the reports whatever you say states in the language of the day that Old Tom offered suggestions and so was responsible for the modifications I see not evil, no plotting to screw McKenna reputation. But you are happy to say Old Tom was credited for something he did not do, yet the report is clear. It worries me if this is the standard of your research.
As for the other names you mentioned, it is again recorded that Old Tom was involved. You just don’t want to give Old Tom his due credit because in your opinion he does not deserve it. Let me be very, very clear, whilst you support others for Old Tom’s work, with questionable reports and interpretations, you are attacking the integrity of a relative of mine, not just a name from the past. I have always said that some stories need further investigating, and will happily accept the truth, but not you opinions which time after time are in themselves, worthless.
A question to all designers, when Jack Nicklaus is credited with a design in these days does that mean that he actually did all the layout then went out and constructed the course? Has he worked with others to achieve the final result? Well, Old Tom actually did the design work, walked the course, returned to see progress and then again to set the positions of the bunkers months after the course opened. But he did not do the labouring. Did he work with McKenna, John Sutherland, Archie Simpson, Benjamin Hall Blyth and others, just read the reports. Make up your own minds, but don’t fall for opinions, they are just that opinions. As for Lahinch you decide what you think may have happened – I know what happened, I have no axe to grind, no reputations to tarnish, no need to prove my point as I am not forcing it down the throat of others.
Tom, no more, I will not answer you again, I have no wish to continue any form of debate or correspondence with you. I just seek the truth whatever it is and will accept it unlike you, who just wants to prove that you are right. Go and play your mind games elsewhere.
Mike, please do not pass on any further message from MacWood to me.
By posting his messages you are involved and responsible for the content of his post - I suggest caution, but then that's my opinion.