Rich - I was hoping you'd chime in here as you seem to be to be uniquely qualified to comment... much competitive play, much whimsical play, travelled the world, live in a golf heaven, more devoted to the game than most, wise, great communicator....
But you disappoint me in focusing on the word rather than the greater substance.
Say Adam changes "beaten" to something like "one-upping."
In your view, is there a worth in trying to "one-up" the golf course? Is such greater or lesser than defeating an opponent in a match, or winning or failing to win a stroke play tournament? How does it relate to exceeding a standard one sets for one's self in playing, whatever that standard might be?
Or in short, how much does the course matter, and how much does just playing golf matter?
I do not mean to challenge you and none of this is adversarial in any way. I am just quite sincerely interested in how you look at this, with a hope to gain insight.
Thanks.
LATE EDIT - Sully, great minds - you wonderfully brief, me horridly wordy.