Fellows,
Gus Hook was the Parks Superintendent of Baltimore for many years, beginning in the 30s, I believe.
There is a brief profile of him in "The Architects of Golf" by C&W.
He was involved with changes or outright designs of most of the Baltiimore city courses.
I don't know how he learned what he did, but he did a splendid job, as Baltimore has a plethora of worthwhile city courses.