Whenever I am able, I will provide you with updates on the project. I've heard some really interesting speculation, a lot of which simply isn't true.
As Tom has indicated, he won't be providing more comments on the building of the course and who did what. Neither will I.
The finished product should hopefully speak for itself. We are sincerely committed to making this a special place. I know that Tom and Jack will make that happen.
I can provide you with one piece of information about the project. I've seen some debate about the Sebonack name, and I can clear that up for you. We have undertaken literally hundreds of hours of research into the history of Sebonac Neck. Some of this was in regard to the Bayberry estate, but mostly it was to research the original look of the whole Shinnecock Hills area from hundreds of years ago. We found that there were very few trees in the area, particularly on Sebonac Neck. We subsequently discovered pictures to prove that as well as an eyewitness account from a wonderful man who caddied at National in the 30's.
When searching through Town Trustee records from the 1600's, we found the original spelling of Sebonack. It is the old English way of spelling it (as in Publick House) and was the original spelling of the word as it had only ever been spoken up until that point but never written. The word means "ground nut place". We had previously found it spelled as "Seponac", "Sebonic", "Saponac", "Sebonac". However, Sebonack was the oldest spelling we found, and it was this logic that we used for deciding on the name.
Even now, the spelling varies. There is Sebonac Road, but also Sebonic Inlet Road.
I hope this helps.