That is a very interesting question, Phil!
Seems to me damn near all courses we've called "great" will have something going for them in the way of "aura." But there must be some where it's all about the nitty gritty of the golf course with nothing much else positive going on, if not some downright negative things.
There have been threads before on great courses with ugly views... maybe this will end up the same.
In any case I can't think of any good examples! But creative I am not this morning.....
TH