All the rankings systems have specific criteria that help determine which courses will make their list. I believe the year maintenance became a Golf Digest criteria Augusta National became #1. That makes sense to me.
There are a lot of issues with the ratings/rankings, but I find most people bash them without studying them to find out why certain courses places differently on different lists. Having said that, are there issues. Sure. Always will be.
On the Alotian, I've only seen pictures. It looks darn good to me. I think there is a real golf course there.