Kelly Blake Moran & Tom Doak,
I would disagree with both of you.
I don't think you can view a hole solely in the isolated context of its green.
Imagine the Redan at NGLA with the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th, 13th, 15th or 16th green. It wouldn't work.
For example, The "Redan" inherently requires a unique green configuration. Anything less or more would disqualify it as a Redan hole.
In addition, the features of a template hole are all interrelated, they function in harmony with one another.
The slopes of the greens, the contours, the surrounds, the bunkering, the elevations, the distances are all interwoven to form a unique template hole.
If you alter one of those features you diminish the hole's pedigree.
The "Short" hole demands an intricate green to offset the minimal distance on the hole.
The "Biarritz" demands a large green due to distance and other unique aspects of the hole.
Having a green like # 1 or # 6 at NGLA where the approach would require a long iron or a wood wouldn't work either.
CBM-SR-CB template holes are what they are, template holes, and not holes to be mutated through creative design.
I would imagine that there are a number of examples where modifications or innovative approaches were taken on what may have been the foundation for a template hole, which resulted in a hybrid or new hole.
Some of the holes at Westhampton appear to be hybrids and I'd imagine that other holes on other courses are successful hybrids as well.
I would also imagine that the owner/developer/client wanted the template holes that they saw at other highly regarded CBM-SR-CB courses.
How would a client react if he asked for a specific product and received what he didn't ask for ?
Template holes are what they are, and to modify them would disqualify them from their intended design category, which was probably just what the client wanted.
P.S.
Kelly,
Most of the earthmoving was at the green end, which isn't too different from most of the work today.
Yale and Lido being unusual exceptions
Are Shadow Creek and the Rawls course today's Lidos ?