The danger of making inferences from pictures- nothing faux about the stone work. The rock formations of the Hill Country add to the charm and, perhaps, ameliorate the harshness of the environment. Maybe more could have been done to bench the peripheries of the site (Fazio probably would have done so).
I do like the reversal of the nines for the match play as 16-18 offer opportunities for bold play. I can't get over the guys hitting driver from the tight fairway on their 2nd shots to the uphill par 5 #16, or off the tee in trying to drive the green on 18.
The first time I played ACC many years ago was in a practice round for a qualifier. I shot a couple over from the back tees and that has been the best score I've managed in 5-6 plays over the years. There was one par round shot during the qualifier, and I think that 78 made it. My 82 was in or near the top half, and about a quarter of the field NC. 5-6 hour rounds. Brutal. Beautiful course, fantastic club, a great match play venue.