Rich
this seems like a way to bridge some idea of the principles of great architecture (theory) with the effectiveness and enjoyability of that architecture in day to day play (practice).
If so, the three points of commonality you mention have parallels:
"They nearly perfectly fit the playing needs and desires of their membership" (practice) is something like the "greatest pleasure to the greatest number" quote from MacKenzie (theory)...though I'd like to see that quote in its whole context.
"They have a personality of their own" (practice, i.e. a place members can grow fond of) is something like "the course fits and is fitted to the land, and is site-natural" (theory).
"They are all flawed, each in their own ways" (a practical reality) would be something like "there's no such thing as perfect" (theory)...or maybe like "all living things are inherently flawed, though this does not preclude perfection but instead makes it beautiful" (personal theory).
Is this maybe what you're thinking about? (theory)
Peter