Matt,
The 12th green is next to the river, but that massive tree growth in the bank of the river hides that fact. It used to be wide open from 10 to 12 and across to the ninth when the course was open. This area was the old farm. The routing has as much to do with finding good soil and avoiding rock as it does with great terrain.
Brad,
The green floods many times every year, so does 10, 11 and even 6 sometimes too.
Matt,
The 11th was a better short par four, it started across the river on the right. The tee shot was narrow and the bunkers were definately in play. I don't mind the change to expose the river (saw an Eagle flying on the river all three rounds last year), but the five is very short.
The 12th is 240 yards, the typical brute Stanley put in every course. if you could picture the river opened up to full view, and the natural rock backdrop exposed again, you would find a much prettier setting than you have now.
When I played 20 years ago, the river could be seen.
This may help your perspective a little. Here is a photo looking back from 11 green with the ninth hole in the background.
.....and yes I found 11 and 12 the weakness of the course too.