Thanks for the kind words Richard. Actually, to Bill's point - I did play at Lundin Links this year and as Ian Dickson (of Buda fame) will testify, yours truly took a 2 on the par 5 13th. A high point in my modest golfing career! Certainly looking forward to Buda.
As for other destinations - I have hopes rather than plans. Maybe get to play Humewood and East London in South Africa in February, two of the more celebrated older courses, and one or two modern ones as well (there are some great coastal sites - not sure about the courses).
I am very keen to play a sample of the huge banquet that is golf on Long Island - maybe this year I can fit that in.
Come October, there is talk of continuing this year's tour by going to Falkestein (sp?) in Hamburg and Falsterbo in Denmark, with maybe a return visit to Ballybunion at the end.
Closer to home, I am embarrassed not to have played Walton Heath, keen to break my duck at Swinley, anxious to return to St George's Hill. And I am determined to play some of these fine heathland courses in August when the heather is at its best!
All talk - lets see how much translates into action!
Sandy - in terms of rating the lesser known courses: the least known are probably Yelverton and Crowborough - both charming and original, probably Doak 6. I think Hankley is a slightly better course than these, and the best heather i have seen. And West Sussex is better still - and has a sandbelt look unlike any other course i know in the UK.
The Dutch links courses are all very good courses - Hague has the most dramatic land, Noorwijk is the most visual, Kennemer an all round good course with 27 strong holes. De Pan is the equal of all but the very best London heathland courses. Royal Zoute was a little less impressive than these, but certainly worth playing. St Germain a great example of making a good course from a modest site, while Morfontaine has the mystery that exceptional privacy and class brings, and some fantastic Tom Simpson architecture.