Jim:
The issue is course quality not some political compromise situation so that others will feel good.
Measure the likes of Brook Hollow and Interlachen, to name just two, against a slew of other classic types courses in the northeast quadrant and it's clear where the real first rate layouts are located.
If people are rating solely to make sure that the gravy is spread around then the motivation is for other pursuits -- not the sole IDing of top tier superb layouts. I'll put Essex County CC and the other two Jersey layouts I mentioned against a broad arrangement of courses already rated -- I feel quite confident the choices I have recommended will hold their own quite nicely and then some.