Doug-While you certainly have a right to express your opinion, I do think you missed the boat on this one. Ross can be wildly uneven from one course to another (as Shivas said). However, I have always found the Elks to be a pleasant and enjoyable layout that requires you to hit a variety of shots and have a deft touch around the greens. There are roughly a dozen guys that I know in my area (Columbus) who drive to Scioto County to play it at least once a month and these are not players who would put in the effort for a mediocre course.
If you are looking for a wow! factor, Ross is probably not going to be your cup of tea (or tee). Some courses are more subtle rather than dazzling. The Elks is never going to sniff anyone's "top 100" list but I don't remember a horrible hole on the whole course. In fact, 9 is a very neat short par four with a challenging second shot due to the fact that you can only see a bit of the front of the green over the guarding bunkers (it dares you to hit a driver for an easy second shot, while the safe play off the tee requires a more demanding second shot...that's textbook risk/reward). 10 is a terrific par four that begins with a downhill tee shot to a fairway that bends to the left then travels up to a plateau where the green sits. 1 is a nice downhill par four to get you started and 18 has a great approach shot back up toward the clubhouse. The par threes are a varied group (playing from about 140 to 200 as I remember) and at least two of the greensites on the short holes are pretty severe.
Yes, there are tree lined fairways but I don't think of it as a narrow course. In fact, the fairways are pretty generous in spots. If you spray the ball, you might end up in someone else's fairway (and I have) but that happens on many courses where the holes are parallel.
I also have never thought that the tees are that close to the greens or that there is any real safety issue on the course. It is a very walkable and playable course.
By the way, I have played there a number of times over the years and there certainly has been some tinkering done. However, the routing is true to the original Ross plan and the majority of the changes have been to convert some sand bunkers to grass bunkers. For me, that has not detracted significantly from the design.
Doug, Ross is a mixed bag and not for everybody. I like his courses because of the emphasis on the second shot and the ability to be creative around the greens. However, few courses generate as much disparity of views than Pinehurst #2, generally recognized as his masterwork. Some think it much ado about very little, some marvel at the shot value placed into the approaches and the treachery of the greens.
If you would be willing to give Ross another chance in Ohio, I would suggest you make the trip to Granville (east of Columbus). While four holes are grafted on to the original design in a concession to economics (housing) what remains of the original Ross is pretty terrific...and if you want challenging greens you will find them there. I know Brent Hutto from South Carolina is a big fan of this golf course and plays it every time he visits the state. If you want to give it a try sometime, let me know. I would be happy to join you.