Phil, while we all have our differing price points, and evaluation of value for our $$ we spend on our discretionary recreational budgets, I'd ask you as a relatively average situated guy, and decent rec golfer, and WI resident; how many times in the coming 6 years until the big USGA open, do you 'think' you'll play Erin Hills? Then, factor that 200 green fee, and 50 caddie fee+ tip that will likely go up as that time goes by.
BTW, EH is an absolutely beautiful setting for golf. On site appeal alone, it is one of the great ones.
I played WS the first tournament they ever had, free.
But, the next time was less than a year later in '99-2000(?) with Mike Cirba, and it was only 220 plus 60 caddiefee and tip. Both of us evaluated it at that price over a few brewski's and admitted we both had a bit of 'buyers regret'. Sure, it is a big time course, has tons of discussion rich architecture to chew on, but that is a lot of dough to most average folk.
Yes, I indulge myself to about the most I can justify to pursue playing some of these courses. I will probably return to EH once, always looking for a spring special, or what not. But, thinking I"m not all that different from the average enthusiastic typical golfer with our basic regional expectations on price and so forth, once will be about it. I'll never return to WS at the prices they charge, even at pre memorial day specials.
If, and perhaps it is a big if, I am typical of those that might seek out this sort of venue once, due to excessive price, what might a marketting strategy for a place like EH or WS be, but hype and appeal to belt notchers, and intrepid fanatics or the corporate entertainment crowd, who desire all the amenities?
IMHO, EH will not 'grow the game of golf', and apparently that isn't part of the owners big picture personal goals at any rate.