TMac and Mike,
Well, thanks for the civil discussion. I took a look at the Mayfield aerial. Basically, Mayfield looks like a nice course from the air, but probably just a solid course you could play every day. I can't tell much, of course, but a thought occurred to me, pre-coffee.
CBM certainly had blind shots and even a few blind punch bowls (STLouis has one if I recall). Not to mention that Merion originally had one (the tenth as originally built).
So could it be similar to today, when if a favored gca does it, it is accepted, but if a lesser light (and as Ross construction guy, I feel Way probably never got his due, compared to his mentor) tries it, it is somewhat dismissed? Or if a course is favored by a national tourney, like NGLA and MCC were, it automatically got brownie points even if architecture was similar? And, even then, history (like Myopia being one of the first courses) and location (lets face it, Cleveland is no Philly on the national perception scale) may have affected rankings back then, just as I think it does today? Maybe moreso, given travel difficulties?
I guess my point is that while its become a battle, in essence, TMac is simply trying to highlight other architecturally signifigant courses from the era. And maybe Mayfield is a bit of homerism to counter same on other side. However, his overall goal of highlighting other courses besides just the few we continually hear about is admirable. The argument of which are the top of the top will never be settled among the couple of folks arguing, which is not surprising.
I think its clear that in that era, professional design was evolving and becoming accepted in most places, simply because it was becoming available, and because probably, most clubs recognized how bad most home made courses had been. (or for that matter, many of the one day wonders, too) So, while a few examples of great amateur designed courses exist, I doubt we could call that the trend, even at that time. If it was, it ended quickly, around WWI.
Short version - on the 1910 thread, its probable that both sides are largely right, but arguing past each other.
And, I will make a trip to Cleveland on my next trip to Ohio to see a few courses there. Like the rest of the nation, I have tended to avoid Cleveland, even if I go to Toledo to see relatives........