I went loosely through the list, its about 2/3 easy access though a significant percentage of these courses are very expensive to play. However, I can fully understand that part of being a custodian of golf is protecting the best and/or unique places to play the game and it so happens that a great many of the best courses are difficult to access and expensive...so be it. I can't quibble much about the 52 courses on the list I played. I know Ran is very focused on architecture so that to a large degree "explains" his list. However, just as happened with Doak (imo anyway), I sense an expanding idea of what is good architecture and what is good golf. Maybe, just maybe, Ran is starting to think the joy of the game is just as important as architecture...well I hope so. I often feel that folks look a bit deeper for good architecture if a feel good connection is made with the course and the experience of the day. That is to say, there is a load of good architecture out there for which the small clubs are the custodians. Let us hope that in time the 147 Custodians shines a brighter light on these unsung custodians just as Doak included many more quality lesser knowns in his recent CG editions.
Ciao