Tom,
I was reading a MacKenzie quote in the Doak book last night. In essence, the short version is that the lucky topped shot won't happen often enough to make a difference in the match. You would expect that it would be accompanied by a lot more bad shots of all types, and the better player would still win. For that matter, why would the club champion be in a competitive match with a C class player? Wouldn't he compete against those of his own level?
So, according to Mac and Doak, architecture moved away from top shot bunkers. It lets poor players play. And it doesn't affect good players on iota.
I remember another article years ago to the same effect. Why punish a topped shot? If one goes on the green, so what? And their are a lot of senior out there who need the frontal opening to continue to enjoy the game.
I think the trend to aerial game starts with equipment, irrigation, and common sense. The aerial game is safer, just like airlines are safer than Amtrak - once in the air, there is whole lot fewer things a plane can collide with. Trains come to intersections that can derail them every few blocks/miles.