In regards to Greywalls : BOUT TIME!!!!
As far as the debate goes on this discussion board, lets not forget that this is the collaboration of people across the country / world; as thorough as this list and others like it might seem, it will never resemble "A PERFECT TOP 100." It's based on combined opinions to generate a consensus. I think maybe GCA should release it's own top 100 list based on our votes (has this ever been mentioned / considered
)
It does make for great a discussion, and is always a highlight on this website, as are nearly all the major publications ratings are. There are inevitably going to be perceived flaws (again these flaws are based on opinion) and thats fine. We must admit, there are several rankings that are directly inline with GCA'S plight; Crystal Downs ahead of Augusta National... (and agian how hard is that to judge since a very small majority of raters will ever play both of these courses let alone both of them).
Matt,
Architect bias amongst the rankings? Obviously this is going to happen. Can you imagine the GCA top 100? People are going to form opinions over time, I mean are there or are there not certain architects that you prefer? I get your point and in no way disagree with you, but as far as the "mass" of people / raters are concerned, inevitably they are going to form an opinion about someones work. How many times have you heard an average joe tell you, "oh well it's a donald ross course," when half (or more) of the time even if he did in fact design the course, his golf course is all but gone?
Sorry for the rant, ive gone ahead again and had a few Jameson's....you know that Irish Ginger Ale.
Nev