Ted - thanks, it's a question that holds unusual interest for me, though I can't explain why. The 'dynamics' involved in ratings is a subject worthy of its own thread (or three), but on your specific question, it reminds me of the old parable/fable:
"A man named Sei Weng owned a beautiful mare which was praised far and wide. One day this beautiful horse disappeared. The people of his village offered sympathy to Sei Weng for his great misfortune. Sei Weng said simply, 'That's the way it is'. A few days later the lost mare returned, followed by a beautiful wild stallion. The village congratulated Sei Weng for his good fortune. He said, 'That's the way it is'. Some time later, Sei Weng's only son, while riding the stallion, fell off and broke his leg. The village people once again expressed their sympathy at Sei Weng's misfortune. Sei Weng again said, 'That's the way it is'. Soon thereafter, war broke out and all the young men of the village except Sei Weng's lame son were drafted, and were killed in battle. The village people were amazed as Sei Weng's good luck. His son was the only young man left alive in the village. But Sei Weng kept his same attitude: despite all the turmoil, gains and losses, he gave the same reply, 'That's the way it is'."
Which is my way of saying, I don't know what the results of course rankings are. If I was as wise as Sei Weng, I'd say "That's the way it is". Since I'm not as wise as Sei Weng, I'll say: thank goodness many folks either don't pay much attention to rankings, or, if they do, have just enough time/interest/money to only occasionally act on the information -- and most of the time play at and support and are happy with the good and decent and modest courses in their own neighbourhoods instead. That's good I think, because if not those 'neighbourhood' courses that are the lifeblood of the game and of public golf would soon be gone.
Peter