Paul
It seems to me that your case largely rests on previous rankings. Is there any chance that you have fallen into the herd mentality ?
Niall
Probably true...would be pleased to hear/consider some other reasonably objective set of data/information on the subject...but do not recall that as being offered :-)
I should also point out that when I look at the highest placements on all World 100 lists ever, I am including the following lists that were not compiled by any "rating" organization:
--Ran's four "Custodian" lists published to date here on GCA
--The Outpost Club which has published two World Top 100 lists
--Golf Course Architecture's survey of golf course architects published about 15-20 years ago.
Frankly...that last one may have been the best World Top 100 list ever. Would love to see Adam Lawrence do something like it again...that might be away to deal with the herd mentality that concerns you and others (although some will then say it is just a different herd).
Looking at the above three...the highest rating for a Continental course on these are:
Custodians--Les Bordes #46, Royal Hague #54, and Chantilly #58
Outpost--Morfontaine #44 (no other courses on the Continent listed)
Architects--Valderrama #45, Morfontaine #54, de Pan #55