I had the same problem Mike did, but he managed to overcome it while I on the other hand couldn't. My own fledgling career was derailed after only my 2nd solo design by a less than ideal site and an overly meddlesome client, as well as by a set of draconian environmental restrictions. The land had some undulation, some sand, several natural green-sites, and a small creek meandering through it -- but there wasn't enough of any of it to produce the top rated championship test the client had fantasized about. Plus, I don't know how any architect could be expected to find 18 great golf holes on just 400 acres of land! Even after hours of trying I could only find seven - but the client steadfastly refused to buy the additionally plot of land that was right there, abutting the site. (I think there were at least 12-15 great golf holes to be found on that 400 acres - but alas I could only dream of finding them.) I believe - perhaps egotistically - that I'd still be a working architect today if only I'd had the benefit of a few great sites in the early days, when it mattered most.