Can they be left as areas labeled “rough”, though? If not, can they be removed?

I labeled this whole course thinking they would simply be "areas" (needed for communication in another program) and when they are changed to "lines" they are no longer compatible. I realize many folks use this site, but most golf courses do not have rough labeled, and communicate perfectly with other programs, "lines" do not communicate.

Perhaps I can change them to areas one more time, for 24 hours (to run an external program) then converted back?