"Tell me again why it isn't a strong third in Philly (after PV and Merion) and why it shouldn't have a higher national ranking?"
Bob:
It probably is. It isn't as if most Philadelphians have never said that it wasn't.
It may be because ironically, for a course built in the end of the Golden Age, Aronimink really is or can be or seems quite different to many of us than just about all the rest of the courses around here that are considered to be the top tier in this era most all of which are Golden Age but earlier.
For me personally, although I hadn't exactly thought of it before, I guess I like some kind or degree of "quirk" or "old fashionedness" in architecture in various ways and Aronimink doesn't have that.
But so what? Also, these tour guys are doing what we thought they would; they are absolutely bombing it and the fairway bunkering really isn't all that much of a deal to them.
So I guess what we are left with to truly appreciate about Aronimink and its architecture is all about is those greens, their contours, their shapes and their surrounds. Most around here have always admitted they might be Ross's best ever and it looks like that is what's being shown this week at the AT&T. Even with short irons in their hands clearly these guys are having to play some very careful strategic golf or they know they will pay for even minor mistakes.
I was even wondering if some of the pins are maybe a bit near over the top but on careful inspection and consideration it doesn't seem so and these guys haven't said that yet and you know if they think it they really do say it.