Mike:
Karsten Creek is a different animal than the pro-forma TF design. It doesn't focus the bulk of its effort on the "eye" aspect. The intensity of the shot values you encounter is also much greater. In sum -- the course / land has substance and the TF approach there is generally subdued.
You won't find the "Broadway" theme show that typlifies so many of the TF creations. From my understanding another associate -- no longer with TF -- played a major role with the creation of KC.
The course has a solid setting and the gentle rolling land makes for wonderful natural contrast that has not been pillored with all the "extra" touches that TF has been known to employ to "wow" the customer / owner.
Karsten Creek doesn't suffer fools either. That's one of the appeals for me although the qualities of the course go beyond simple toughness. The course is quite strong and when it hosted the NCAA Championships a few years back no one was torching the place at will. KC could very easily host a tour event and even possibly a major if so inclined.
Karsten Creek gets "lost in the sauce" because the "bells & whistles" approach that has become de rigeur is not found there -- that's one of its primary appeals to me. Unfortunately, the name TF has become the poster child for all that many here on GCA deplore -- the "extras" have become distractions and take away from the value of what a given piece of property possesses. That's far from the case with Karsten Creek.
One last thing -- although the course is "open" to the public the tariff to play is quite steep. In my mind, when great college courses are discussed you can throw Karstem Creek right to the top with such gems as Yale, Stanford, etc, etc.
It's a solid layout and something that TF clearly showed me he is capable in delivering far more than what is being churned out at will today.