I totally underestimated the course from reading about it versus playing it. I thought it would be a competent links course, but didn't expect such a smooth and elegant flow of holes. The routing is superb, it changes directions often enough to provide great variability - who wants to play five holes in a row into a 3 club wind? I hit a lot of different clubs and, despite occasionally playing poorly, spent little time wading through hay. I think in our foursomes match Mike Malone and I finished on the first ball.
While I'm sure not many would lament seeing the 9th hole go, I'm not sure what "cramped space around the clubhouse" entails. The first hole is superb, don't change it. The 18th is a great match decider and matches that end earlier can easily forego it. The 10th hole starts right at the clubhouse - nothing wrong with that!
Perhaps a little more quirk here or there - akin to #12, #13 and #15 - would be nice. Bring in a world-class golf architect and I'm sure the members could get a world class golf course, if that is their ambition. Leave it well enough alone and it's still pretty damn good.
Ulrich