...could play one course for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Okay, I'm going to take a different tack than everyone else here....a realistic one
For a variety of reasons most of us will never end up living out our lives in the places where these courses are. But my wife and I moved to Kansas in 1998 and the golf course was a primary factor in where we lived (she took a job that allowed her to live almost anywhere in the state.)
So... we actually had the course picked out that we would play the rest of our lives.
I love the place, I can afford to play there to the end of my days, and it was within 10 minutes of my house in Topeka--which is paid for.
It's not so hard that I feel beaten up when I finish, it's not exotic, it's not even famous. Almost no one here has ever played it, but it's just a solid, enjoyable Donald Ross designed golf course.
Sadly, the members of Shawnee CC were responsible enough to keep the course from going into receivership and it now belongs to people who simply don't care. It makes me want to cry.
We are now retired, and trying to decide where we are going move. The fact that Albuquerque is on both of the "Where to Retire" lists in another thread here is intriguing, especially since my brother lives there.
But... if you asked me to pick from among the other courses I have played Brora and Wild Horse would probably be at the top of the list.
K