JWL:
Let me say at the outset that I rate courses irrespective of who the designer is and I believe my assessments of courses follow a pragmatic position -- in sum -- there's no absolute right or wrong in my book -- I judge them on their individual merits and don't get sucked into the fancy pictures many of these high profile real estate developments put forward through their well designed collateral matreials. Some here on GCA follow the idea that if person "X" designs the course then ipso facto it must be something special. I don't do that, or at the minimum, don't do it consciously.
I do like plenty of Jack's works and for a time I was a big fan of Geronimo at Desert Mountain until Lyle Anderson saw fit to change the 13th and 14th holes.
I have played Aspen Glen and Las Campanas and both are heavily shaped. They are layouts where man's hand is clearly seen. In some of the holes at both courses you find the standard mounding and shaping so that all the holes have the GQ or Vanity Fair model look. There is little for the golfer to "guess" about because everything is layed out in the same manner that food is served at your basic cafeteria -- just walk through the line and go from there.
I don't doubt the locale "adds" the experience because when yo look at Mt. Sopris in the background at AG and you have such striking features from the terrain off-site at Las Campanas but it's the desire to run roughshod over the property and impose the carpeted "been there" -- "done that" look that turned me off.
Please don't misunderstand me I believe both facilities do present a fair test of golf and there are quite a few holes that can be demanding when the tees and pins are placed accordingly. But, in the final analysis -- it's the overdone grandiose style that provides little mystery to add to the expectation of future rounds.
Now, let me mention among some of Jack's recent designs I thoroughly enjoyed Old Works in Anaconda, MT (arguably the best value course anyone can play given what many Jack courses cost to play) and I believe the Chirichua Course at Desert Mountain is a bonafide candidate for top five consideration in the Grand Canyon State. I also believe Great Bear in Marshalls Creek, PA is one of the top 4-5 public courses in all of the Keystone State and is so grossly undervalued by the major publications. There are others I could also mention but my fingers are tiring.
Let me once again clarify my comments about MC. I didn't put the course up on a pedestal and make it out to be the secomd coming of Moses!
I will defer to the comments of Slapper and yourself since you've probably played them more times than I have (I played MC twice and I've played AG and LC -- both 18's just once).
I liked what TF did with the property -- BUT I ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE HOLES ON THE ROAD CLOSEST TO THE CLUBHOUSE WERE SIMPLY MAILED IN AND UNINSPIRING. Somehow I think people just take out one or two sentences and then begin to assert that Ward said this when one needs to look at the totality of what was realy said. I hope this helps.
P.S. For what it's worth I also like Haymaker in Steamboat Springs. A fine Keith Foster design that gets little attention but that goes beyond the immediate geography area that is a part of this thread.
One last thing -- glad to see someone else mention Santa Ana -- the two 9-hole layouts I mentioned (Tamaya & Cheenya) are very good as many people will automaticaly head over to Twin Warrior.