Sean,
You said: Personally, I think folks throw in all sorts of stuff when evaluating that have nothing to do with architecture. Why? Because the experience is what the entire scene is about. And if this is true, money plays a big role.
A 20 buck course is not going for the same experience as a 200 buck course. Which is why if I wanted to rent a car that does more for me that just get me from point A to point B I would rent an Aston Martin, or a 'Vette, or a Hummer, or a Viper, or a Ferrari, etc., (and there are numerous outlets here in the States where I can).
You said: Sure, if folks are gonna stand up and compare straight across architecture, then PD wins on the play-o-meter - I assume. (bold is mine)
This is the kind of remark that strains the credibility of your whole argument and the suggestion that there is a possibility that Aiken could somehow surpass PD on the architecture Play-O-Meter is another reason that you do Aiken a dissservice.
I do agree that there are many value courses of good quality that give people all the bang for their bucks that they could possibly ask for, but they don't give the courses like PD a run for their money because they aren't even in the same race.