Really solid write up, as someone who plays it daily I have similar thoughts, the bunkers on the links require extreme control and often not the ability to get the ball on the green from them specifically 1,2,6 but it challenges the longer players nowadays.
It's absolutely insane to me that the woodlands is rated around 2 shots easier than the links from the back tees.
I think the links has gotten over rated a bit with the rating and the amount of play but it's one of the most unique courses/layouts in the midwest, I don't know a single course I've played where you don't encounter a par 4 for 6 holes in a row (9-14 on the links) and it really challenges your rhythm has a player. On the flip side if they found land or added distance to the woodlands it might be one of the more challenging courses due to the hazards and the inability to hit driver on alot of the holes if you're a longer player.