I always appreciate Adam's slant on things. Too many of the GCA brethern, most notably Adam, pray at the temple of "classic school" orthodoxy. Designs that fall outside their narrow definition of greatness are frowned upon or thought to be less golf design and more of a schlock effort.
Wolf Creek was created in a hostile weather environment and on a site that required a deft imagination and resources to boot. What's so amusing is that Adam gushes about Shadow Creek which is nothing more than man's testament to his own ego to create something from nothing and then have the "wisdom" (shall it be called that) to import trees (like the desert has them?) to make it look so "natural."
I've said this before -- people fawn when quirk is found across the pond and justify it with such passages as the inclusions being "natural" so as to justify their presence. No doubt, just like the Road Hole, if it weren't for the lore and it's tie to The Old Course and if it were done here in the States people would be screaming at how inane such a hole is.
You have people on this site who rave about a place like Cassique in the low country of SC and it is MOUND HAVEN. Each of them is totally manmade and often times have a direct role in how shots / holes are played. I love the juxtaposition of how different courses can be labeled one way when certain people are making the argument.
I've said many times that if you are one of those "hold your nose" / "up in the air types" who must have a classic type of golf design -- then avoid Wolf Creek at all costs. The same people who diss Wolf Creek are the same who see anyone other than wine lovers as barbarians. It's so utterly transparent.
I don't doubt Wolf Creek won't appeal to everyone. But as many said, which Adam and others of his ilk often forget to mention, they have enjoyed what it offered -- albeit not a steady diet but the fun factor was alive and well.
There are clear holes where quirk, albeit the American desert variety, is at work there. Again, the snob appeal is that anything that can't be understood is immediately thrown under the bus. I chuckle when Adam makes the brilliant observation that the course is "manufactured." Geeze, really?
I do agree with him on the concluding hole and have opined previously that there are a few holes that are less interesting and more of a filler. No doubt for those who demand a walking course Wolf Creek is not the place to be. Carts are mandated -- but for those who want clear differences for golf design, like the aforementioned Indiana Jones movies, Wolf Creek will keep you guessing and inspire you to hit critical shots in situations that you will long remember.