If one were to have awards for golf architecture, what would they be? Since a general ranking is difficult, I tend to believe courses are best recognized for their unique qualities. Therefore, what would be some superlatives to bestow on courses, and what courses exhibit them? Examples:
Best set of one-shotters: Country Club of Buffalo. The volcano/quarry 6th, the monstrous but subtle 8th, the Volcano 12th, and the great reverse redan 16th.
Best bunker presentation: Orchards, Massachusetts. Fescue-laden bunker faces give the hazards authenticity, rustic, character, and challenge.
Controversial favorite: Cobblestone Creek, New York. Many of the locals dislike the use of marsh and bold greens on this wild Hurdzan/Schreiner design, but both features give course both thrill and variety. The routing spreads the various environments of the course evenly across the layout, making golf even more exciting.
Further categories would be greatly enjoyed.