The restoration at Elkridge is absolutely amazing, what a golf course, Elkridge was actually in my top ten when I submitted my list, my guess is that not enough people have seen it since it was restored. Rocky Gap over in Cumberland is very over-hyped in my opinion. One nine is mountain with several blind shots, the other is in the open flat part of the property, not a very exciting golf course.
Craig: from a professional's standpoint I can tell you that most of the top DC private clubs on the list that I played came when I was a junior golfer. Most of these clubs are very difficult to get on, and therefore not seen by many Middle Atlantic golf professionals. Of the seven on the list I haven't played four are private DC courses(Columbia,Chevy Chase, and both at Congressional). I enjoyed Washington very much and placed it in my top 25, but again I played it when I was 17. Most golf professionals will only rate courses they have seen and unless they hold a tournament there, chances are they haven't seen it.