I hail from the Pacific NW where no matter what grass the course was planted in originally, they all go to Poa eventually. Poa is soft. Hitting a consistent bump and run to a poa green is very difficult.
With that background, how much of the comments from youth are dictated by the changing conditions around the putting surfaces over time? A new course is firm, the stand of grass is homogenous and as stated the surfaces are large all creating a less complicated spot to attack.
The older course probably has a combination of grasses, it is more than likely softer and the putting surface is a smaller target all of which conspire to making it more difficult to hit a consistent shot.
No wonder they prefer the newer course.