Rating at Ellerston is a totally manufactured and controlled environment, I saw a nice picture from one of the raters at a road junction several km from the course, no photos allowed, so no opportunity to record and compare.
Exactly. It's no different to a critic from the Michelin guide booking a table in their own name at a restaurant and then informing the Maitre 'D upon arrival what they were there for.
There is a lengthy discussion in the accompanying article about the inclusion of Ellerston (and non inclusion of Capital).
"We have, however, continued to accept the ongoing request from the management of Capital Golf Club in Melbourne for that course not to be ranked."
"It will stir controversy - it already has - but our decision to include the
ultra-private" - so it's not just private, but ultra-private - "Ellerston course has merit."
... "In fact we did so only once, in 2008, when it came in seventh. That decision was largely based on the course's sheer inaccessibility as generally only connections to the Packers can play there. Back then, we felt it wrong to publish a bucket list of sorts for Australian golfers to play and include a course that was anything but accessible.
... A few more golfers buy their way to Ellerston through high-end charity auctions."
So despite the fact that previously Ellerston was a golf course in Australia, it wasn't ranked because of accessibility issues, yet now ten grand somehow makes the course more accessible?And this from Judge Mollica: "It's likely Bob Harrison's finest work, in a portfolio of many high-calibre designs. It's a shame so few will experience it."
It's interesting to note that despite Judge Mollica's long-held fervent desire to play the course, he didn't buy his way onto the course as he advocates we all do, but instead waited for the course to be rated.
I think you are overstating the degree to which courses such as Ellerston can control the experience and how much of a factor it is compared to all the other imperfections in the rating system.
So where are the negative comments?
A high-roller from Crown once lost a truckload at the casino. He was flown to Ellerston for a round to soothe the hurt, as a game at Capital just wasn't exclusive enough. It will be interesting to see if the whales consider this a special treat anymore since so many people can now see the place.