Brian - unfortunately there are no saints in the publishing industry. And it is pretty much impossible to proofread to the extent that removes every single error or omission from your work. We have all of us made mistakes and forgotten to credit people, or misquoted them slightly or whatever. I called you a Scot a few years ago, you might remember! If you are a little bit unscrupulous (I am not making any accusations in respect of this volume) it is pretty easy to take advantage of contributors' good natures and walk all over them. Once it is printed, what comeback does anyone have? It's not going to be withdrawn from sale unless you have done something really egregious, and even then only if someone is prepared to go to law.
I still think the selection of material is bizarre. What is a double page photo of Doonbeg doing in a volume on Colt and his associates? Similarly Castle Stuart? I guess the authors are trying to make a point about Colt's naturalism having a lasting impact, but it smacks of golf porn to me.