Tom D,
His style may not have changed but to me Sandpines was clearly a mail-in job for Rees. After the success of the Bandon complex, I think perhaps it may have been different, that's is all.
Tommy N has an emotional tie to the area and a dislike for Rees' work in general. Throw in an uninspired effort by Rees and it makes his blood boil. That's Tommy and I appreciate his passion.
I still say it isn't a poor course though. People think its poor relative to the Bandon courses and it is. But people who played it prior to Bandon being built would not have the same negative vigor that they do now, that's all.
Insofar as a course isn't dangerous, offers relatively flat teeing grounds and puttable greens, Sandpines is a good course.
Heck, it even enjoys the luxury of being in a pretty good setting.
But the strategy isn't there, the interest isn't there. Aside from about 2-3 holes, it's a total and utter snoozefest. Hit and walk (or ride.) It doesn't really matter what part of the fairway your ball comes to rest because the flat and round greens receive approach shots like the dart board at your local pub.
The routing is a little schizo. The water holes feel horribly out of place. The grass selection is terrible, fast and firm this course is not.
They would have been far better served to take the money they spent on the big clubhouse and spend it adding some excitement to the course. Too many straight holes with containment mounding lining both sides of the fairway.
And that's not to mention the frustration that just comes with seeing the crude work that was performed there. The property deserved better. It could have been really really good.