Lots of assumptions implied in those question. Many are inaccurate. The free golf is B.S., there's no expectation of comps. Yes a rater can call PV but I doubt it would get them on. I have never tried, though. Of the top four courses I have played and given very high votes/scores, not one of them was as a rater. And 3 of them were before I was ever a rater. And I'm not that well connected, or, do I try to access "the greats".
Everyone is different, and everyone has their opinion. Which is what is desired.
The entrenched staples on the lists appear to have a high number of votes, so new votes won't move the needle.
Apparently, for a long time now, marketing people have tried to figure out the system by inviting specific raters to boost their hype. It might work in the short run, but, imo, the cream rises and the hype goes by the wayside and those courses fall precipitously. Often off the lists completely.