TE Paul:
Although it is difficult to determine with complete accuracy, it is most likely a Flynn change that makes the 1st hole such a great opener. The Hagley Museum has aeirals of many golf courses, 19 having to do with Flynn. It shows clearly the change of routing (it once crossed Ardmore Ave. 4 times!) that Flynn and Wilson did in 1925 ( I think). Wilson ceded a great deal of responsibility to Flynn and I believe much of the subsequent routing, although collaborative, to be so Flynn-like. One of his greatest skills was to rout a course in a natural way using the land as is where it was suitable for golf and moving earth only where he had to (Indian Creek). They were certainly being tested by the confines of the Merion property. In any case, Flynn was most influenced by Wilson and then by the other Philadelphia architects Thomas, Tillinghast, and Crump. He carried the mantle well influencing Gordon, Wilson, etc.
Your interest in Flynn is quite thorough. He would fly in any contraption and his circle of friends included Rockefeller, Geist, the golf greats of his era, and many others. I hope we can talk shortly on this common subject. Where are you located? Again, my number is 610.664.9663