Tom,
What if they didn't say they were trying to build a links course?
I don't really see Whistling Straits as a "links" course. I don't know what was going on inside of Pete Dye's head when he built the place, but I think(even if he has never said this) he had no interest in trying to build a course that looked exactly like you'd find on the coast of Ireland. I think he was no doubt inspired by those courses, but I think he was more interested in building his version of a postmodern links course, if you will. Kind of in the fashion of music by Beck, or a movie by Quentin Tarantino. Being inspired by the past and deeply respecting it, but ultimately not totally trying to emulate it, but doing something a little different with it...and maybe even breaking a few rules along the way. Maybe that isn't your cup of tea. i do admit, while it could bring new, refreshing ideas, it could also be terrible in the wrong hands.
Mind you, I'm guessing Whitsling straits markets itself as a links course, so maybe your issue has more to do with the marketing department?