Interesting stuff.
I'm heading out there with a buddy this weekend, unfortunately given that the temps are jumping 20 degrees between last weekend and this one.
We're playing Shadow Ridge, PGA West Stadium, La Quinta Mountain and maybe somewhere else (Indian Wells, maybe?). Curious to check it all out.
But, without obviously having played any of those courses yet, I can comment on how surrounds affects course. Shadow Ridge looks a lot like a course out here in Phoenix that I like a lot, also by "Faldo" called Desert Ridge. It's a great course, but I definitely have found that my enjoyment of it has faded over the years and a lot of that is because while it used to be pretty much alone in the desert, now virtually all of the front nine is surrounded by condos. They aren't close or in play or anything, but it's sure not as nice to look at as the long views of mountains in the distance.
Of course, the other problem with that course is that it is always completely overwatered. It's part a JW Marriott and it seems like they want green at all costs. So a course that should play firm and have bounce just becomes target golf most of the year, which is a shame. Hope Shadow Ridge is different in that respect, but not holding my breath.