Matt,
I'm trying to find a thread we particpated in last autumn/summer about a true composite course. At that time, the best I could come up with was something that still had us going from 13W green to 17E tee, I seemed to remember that got shut down by posters as too awkward/long a walk.
Also, on the admittted plainess of the Par 5s...if we think of the Par 5s in the everyman model, then I think WF holds up just fine. We're forgetting the severity of the greens on all eight Par 5s on the property and how much fun and playing interest they hold for an everyman player, no matter what score he is going for.
When we are considering elite players and national championships, I would ask if there is a Par 5 in any major championship rota that averages more than 5? I can't think of one, here or in GB/europe. We would have to make a three shot hole about 700 yards and well-hazarded to make the elites fight for a card par, so it seems kind of silly to hold a three shot hole to universal standard, though again, I am not contesting the essential agreement - that WF's three shotters are its weakest link.
If 5 or 16 had a pond or a gigantic cross bunker at 290, it would sexy up and change this value, but for me and my about -to-enter double digit HCP, all is fine as is.
cheers
vk