Lyle
First let's define a tournament course as one that hosts majors and other premier events like the Ryder Cup.
Ideally, it should be a stern, but fair (not like the Shinnecock Open) examination of the players skill and mettle that tests every essential aspect of the game in an equal measure -- driving, long and short irons, and short game skills including pitching, chipping, sand play and putt. I
In reality, each major favors some aspects of the game more than others, ie. The Masters is known for its test of iron play and putting. The U.S. Open has traditonally tested driving accuracy, and mettle. The Open is a good all around test of golf in all types of weather conditions particularly wind. There is a little less pressure in the area of putting. In recent years, I think the PGA has been the best all around test of golf because of the tournament sites and their wisdom in setting up the course and maintaining the condition of the course fairly and wisely.
I think most of the tournament sites in the past few years are also fun to play in normal conditions, with the exception of the U.S. Open several times.
Some of the stern tournament courses that may not be a lot of fun for us average golfers are Medinah, Winged Foot, Oakmont, Carnoustie(?), Oakland Hills, Olympic-Lake, Bethpage-Black, Baltusrol, Congressional, Firestone-South and possibly Aronomink. But, of course, this is all subjective.