I've never played the course so I can't speak to its quality, but with regards to the design philosophy, we do have to remember the first purpose of the course is the IU golf teams. I'm not conversant with college golf recruiting so I don't know the extent to which the Dye designs may be more attractive to the younger generation, but it's not unreasonable to believe it may be a factor. If Indiana thought Assembly Hall was consistently costing us quality basketball recruits, it would be replaced in a moment or at least completely gutted for major renovations. While I would love for us to have a classic, "very old school" gem-of-a-course, there is a reason Dyes are a dime-a-dozen and there are a mere handful of classic courses. They are terrifically difficult to create and we don't play the game the same same way as our grandfathers (or great-grandfathers depending on your age). I'm OK if we play this one a bit safe for now.
the reason there have been so many Dye'esq courses being built now days, is because they are building them from cornfields and marshes, not carving them out of hilly forests.
don't get me wrong, Dye is absolutely brilliant taking an uninspiring piece of land, and building in man made inspiration. (traps, water, mounds, undulation).
a golf architect is an artist, and Dye is Picasso.
but the IU course needs Rembrandt, not Picasso.
if IU wants to build another course on an unwooded uninspiring patch of land, the Dye school is the way to go.
i don't though think his strength is a plot of land like IU has, and moreso, i fear whoever does it, will get caught up in making it their own design, rather than renovating and lengthening the already great layout that's there. (golf architects have egos, want their name on it, and not as just the renovator).
Glass's "start all over" comment scares me.
if IU doesn't take advantage of what's already there, imo they are making a huge mistake.
like i said, lengthen it, add 50+ traps, (maybe more like 70+), some water, add premium grass and irrigation.
it will be the best course in Indiana and the B10.
as for hosting events, who in the B10 is hosting lots of big golf events on campus these days, and what courses without premium grass are hosting any.
let's also not over play the recruiting thing.
right now Illinois is the conference stud, and their courses are nothing special at all.
all that said, unlike SSAH or MS, the golf course serves more than just the team.
99% of the play it gets is, and always will be, from students, faculty, alumni, and the general public.
i would hate to see it upgraded from an affordable course, to an unaffordable one.