"People fell in love with golf architecture that makes the game no fun. Courses should be interesting, not hard. They should be for enjoyment and competition."
Look at human history. We exchange periods of barqoue and minimalist, excess and humility. Why should golf course architecture have been any different?
Also, think about the fellows who built those courses. They weren't the most humble people around and their Vegasian attitudes are reflected in their golf courses. When farmers build courses, you get this:
http://playironwood.com/(For clarification, "this" is beautiful golf.)