Also re Westerwood:
Before Jonathan Gaunt came along I also did a design for the alteration of Westerwood. We had broadly similar holes on the new land at the bottom of the site, but a different solution for tying up the holes inside the site. I was commissioned by the Scottish National Golf Centre, who had an interest in the place at the time. They were the only client I had who didn't pay their bill!
Holes 10-12 of the original routing were abandoned, partly in response to complaints from neighbours whose houses were getting pelted. Rather than fix the holes, they shut them down, so the homes with a golf course view now have a nice view of scrubland.
The Seve (Dave Thomas) course was big news when it opened in the late 80's. I played it with my father before it officially opened and it was quite the course at the time. Very exciting for that part of the world. As hard as 9" Nails. I've still got the card, photos and vivid memories of the day.
It decayed dramatically over the years and i'm a bit surprised it hasn't folded. The Gaunt holes down the bottom have helped, but it is the boggiest land you'll ever see. I'm sure they did sow proper grasses in the rough, but it's pretty much all rushes now. I played it last about 5 years ago and will admit to enjoying the new layout, although the 12th and 13th are both truly bizarre holes, with the latter being a short par 3 playing into the green of an abandoned hole, but from right angles to the original line of play.
I've got to say though that i had the best restaurant meal of my life in the hotel the one time i stayed there. Just the most delicious beef with a red wine reduction. It was amazing.