Patrick:
On Kalen's example, when you say the duplicate would be recognized as a "superior" hole, you don't mean superior to the original, right? You must mean superior in a general sense, I assume; ie that it would have to be looked at as a damn good golf hole.
And I'd agree about that. The hole Kalen describes sounds very tough and darn fun, giving options and strategic choices.
BUT.... here's where you have I have our paths diverge. For you that would seem to be enough, the end of the assessment. For me, the beauty that surrounds CPC is the icing on the cake that turns it from a world-class hole to perhaps the single greatest hole in the world. I think of it as a bonus; or if the views were categorically horrible, such would be a detraction. The views either positive or negative don't change the play for those with the best golf focus (we've argued this part before, I'll leave it out for now); however I'd argue that even for them, the appreciation and joy in playing the game period might be, as it certainly is for those with a mind toward appreciating such things. That's why I think it counts. And I know you limit it the play period in terms of swinging the club and striking the ball, and find my way to be another form of California touchy-feely nonsense. And maybe you're right; you're way is a lot easier to quantify.
But I gotta tell you, I've been with several groups of first-timers on 16 CPC, and when they stand on that tee, they're not discussing shot choices first. They only get to that after the oohs and ahhs subside at what their eyes are telling them. And the first pictures they take aren't a series of photos showing the shot choices available; no, damn near always it's either an individual or group photo taken on the tee with the green and only the green in the background, showing the crashing surf and peninsula beyond...
Which makes me believe that such things matter to others besides me as well.
In any case, Kalen does put an interesting slant on this. I've been wracking my brain to try and come up with what hole he's talking about... and it's not coming to me. Kalen, do tell... and then this might encapsulize this even better.
TH