I guess I would be willing to entertain Wayne's theory, if we could reduce by definition, the size of the categories.
Is PV superior architecture to SH, well they are too different to fairly judge, IMO. One is certainly constructed and designed beyond the concept of purely minimal and routed rather than built, and are from two different eras.
Is PV as a naturally laid out, but designed and built golf course of a certain era, superior to others of similar 'construction', era, like Merion, ANGC (even though much later), CPC, etc. A fair enough question that I have no answer to, since I never laid eyes on any of those.
But, architecture is planning and building, and has a degree of creativity that goes beyond merely finding great golf corridors and tee and green sites. If it took a effort throught the hand of man, planning and building, yet did so in the most effective and efficiently collaboratively manner of relationship -construction on the land, then that is superior architecture in my view.
On that note, I might say BallyNeal is superior architecture than SH. Not necessarily a better golf course (I don't know that) but as a golf course architecture project of very similar characteristics, within a certain category, I think it fair to say, 'superior' architecture as an application of varied skill sets to accomplish as a practicing architect.
But, don't get yourself worked up and say that I said BallyNeal is 'better' than SH. I hope I am making the distinction I am seeing in my mind.