Ian
Interesting stuff. Thinking how that could be translated to the UK. I'm not sure we have one gca in the UK who was as dominant as Thompson was in Canada but then that could be used as strength. We have Colt, MacKenzie, Simpson et al however I doubt any of those names register with the general golfing fraternity in the UK. So the first thing to do is to make them design conscious. In that regard the likes of Geoff Ogilvy and John Huggan (rabble rouser that he is) at least have started the ball rolling with their regular columns. What we need is for that attention and comment to jump from their columns to the editorials and main features.
Taking your other point about high profile courses as case examples of how to do it or not as the case may be, the obvious example might be Ernie Els teams work at Wentworth. Not looking to stick the boot in to Els's team as I appreciate what you do has a lot to do with the remit you are given but that might be one to show how it could have been done better.
Off the top of my head, I can't think of an example like the St George's course you refer to, maybe thats what we need.
Niall