Most Surprising New Place Course...Juniper Golf Club in Bend, Oregon. It is a low cost muni, that is a ton of fun...really well done.
Most Disappointing New Course...none. Golf is fun, regardless of where you play.
Best New Play Course...Cypress Point. WOW!!!!
Most Surprising Second Look Course...Pacific Dunes (actually third look). Liked it a lot the first two times, but really loved it this time around.
Favorite New Play Links...Hmmm. Not sure I played a new links course this year, but I'll say Tetherow. Inland, but very "linksy."
Favorite New Play Inland Course...Pine Valley. Every hole is, at a minimum, good. Walk is great. Excellent!
Best Affordable Course...Wolf Point.
Best Moderately Priced Course...Presidio (not sure how much it cost, might be over your limit. But what I paid seemed reasonable, especially considering I was in San Francisco...one of the most expensive cities in the U.S).
Best Course played this year...Cypress Point.