Dick, Your thought provoking post should cause us all to recognize the importance in appreciating great works of golf course art. If the money is more important to decision makers, in major metro areas, there's not much any of us can do, unless we have the means to become the decison maker.
However, with the techno advances creating the ability to live remotely, while still staying in touch, has opened the door for the potential of new projects outside of those population centers. If built modestly, out of the way courses can just sit back and wait for the population to come to them. i.e.'s like WH and Rc are perfect models.
Now, If the recent past parinoia over the future of golf course design and construction, had continued to drop off, I'd say there would be cause for worry. Since there still seems to be plenty of interest in new projects, especially in the remote areas, while metro areas are selling thier bottom tier courses, the future looks not so bleak.
The upside is, most of these projects now recognize the importance for better GC art. Mostly thanks to Mr. Morrissett's folly, is my perception.