Ian,
I have not heard of the "Throne" before, but I am aware of the course and the green of which you speak and it is truly remarkable! I can certainly say that it would likely not be possible for me to two putt that green from the diagonals!
Yes, the approach to the 11th at Stafford is the key feature that sets up the front pin position, if you can call it one. What a shame, generally speaking, that we don't have more open approaches such as this one to use the ground game more often. Travis was quite skillful using this characteristic and I have seen it as a well used, but not overused feature/tool in many of his works.
My folks still live within 5 minutes of the Yahnundasis, I'm embarrassed that you got the spelling wrong...and I got to play it twice last year. I actually have a history with this club. This is where my love/passion for the industry started when I was 17 years old, which would be 30 years ago, oh shit wow! Nevertheless, this was my first job in the industry as an employee on the grounds crew. For two seasons I worked there and played every Monday and on many afternoons after the members were enjoying drinks in the clubhouse. The afternoons and twilight just happen to be my favorite time to play. I learned a lot about that track and about Travis, but I will say that even then the course had been chopped up to construct new surrounding roads and a shopping mall which lies close to the back nine around holes 13-16. Even so, most of what Travis accomplished was kept generally in tact.
Clearly, the front nine is by far the best of his work and I'm quite sure you would be delighted to see it. Travis respected everything that many of us on this site find to be precious and important, the existing natural contours. Some of the fairways have huge hogbacks, buried elephants and swales going this way and that way that are incredible to mow, but oh so interesting to play. Critically speaking, the course desparately needs to be restored, since over the years much of the character has been lost, you know, rounded greens, bunkers removed, some made shallower, etc.....Currently they have a superintendent William Carrick, yes, that's Carrick! in his second year there, who is very interested to restore the Travis work, but is strapped for money and has too many members who "see" nothing wrong. I met with him last year and he says he will still continue his fight to bring the course back.
There are several holes that are absolutely marvelous and have Travis dripping all over them. You would do well to stop in for a visit sometime. If you are passing through, I would love to take a tour with you. Utica/New Hartford is 3.5 hours drive fom Lockport.