Although I didn't have complete control over where I would attend graduate school, I let it be known that I preferred Columbus, OH over San Antonio, New Orleans, and Rome, primarily for the quality of the golf in the area. After spending 6 years arguing with Buckeyes and playing some good golf I would have asked for somewhere else. The reason is that it only really takes one special place for me to get my golf architecture fix. And although Columbus has a tremendous assortment of courses in town (two Rosses, a MacK, two early Dyes, and countless others) it doesn't make it a better place to live then NOLA, Rome or San Antonio because who cares if there are 3 great course down the road; all I need is one. I guess what I am trying to say is that being surrounded by great architecture doesn't add much to one's quality of life. Give me a good home course and a trip or two a year playing some greats.
Thus, to answer the OP question, Yes, I requested to be sent for studies in Columbus, OH for the richness of the golf Architecture, and after I found a welcoming and fun club, I could care less about the other courses in town. Finding a club or course that you enjoy and are comfortable at trumps having a handful of ranked courses around home.