Terry -
I am NO sand expert, but did hang around and listen a lot to others.
We used a sand called "Deep (Steep?) Face Waupaca" and I believe it is the same sand used at CGC, SA, Conway, Skokie and others...and perhaps now the Bev. It is darker.
The alternative is something I think is called "Tour Angle" and that is what you will see at Butler, Medina and, sadly, Knollwood. It is VERY WHITE.
We had the same debates and feedback.
We equated the bunker sand to "lipstick and make-up".
If you have an old grand-dame (ODG course), you dont adorn her with fancy bright lipstick that makes her look like a tart who is trying too hard.
The make up should be "age appropriate" and reflect the class that the old girl brings to the party. Besides, the sand doesnt make the fried egg, the player does. (Unless your super is watering the bunkers..;-)
Or, tell those members that the GCAs did offer the "no fried egg coating option" on the sand, but would have been another $1,000 per member so the board shot it down...
Where's Andy Johnson when you need him?