Tom -
I think what David is trying to say is that the old Joe Lee Marshside 9 was not very good and Fazio's changes, overall, are an improvement there. I agree.
I don't think the Fazio changes to the old Seaside 9 were an improvement, however. As David notes - and this is typical Fazio - the those 9 holes are now much prettier/better framed/photogenic, take your pick. But qua golf course, the od Seaside 9 is worse for the wear (and the bucks). On balance that 9 is less strategic with fewer interesting shot options. imho.
I don't have a good feel for what Rees did to the old Retreat 9 and the old Plantation 9, but, again, I will be there in a couple of weeks and will report back afterwards.
The terminology of the SI courses is confusing.
Now there are two 18's,Seaside and Plantation. The current Seaside 18 is a combination of the old Seaside 9 and the old Marshside 9. (There is no longer a Marshside designation.)
The current Plantation 18 is a combination of the old Plantation 9 and the old Retreat 9.
To further confuse matters, the old St. Simons Club down the road (also owned by the Sea Island Company) is now called the Retreat Course.
Sort of like learning Hungarian, you'll probably never get the course names right unless you grew up with them.
Bob