A) I will confirm that Kevin did indeed take as long as possible to play the 9th at Ballyhack. He actually bought it a ring, but was too shy to pop the question that day.
I will also substantiate his "ode to Emmett," such as it was, on the 4th tee of Leatherstocking. I think it was the waves of the 3rd hole's fairway (waves on a freaking par three fairway!!) that brought him home.
B) The Orchards, Kinloch and Taconic all start out ( for me) with nondescript holes, so that initial "Hello" did not do it. By the third hole on both courses, I was smitten. Ballyhack's first hole blows you away, then #2 takes you even higher. I think that a course with a great first hole must follow it up with a smasher; in either case, #2 best be good.
C) I disagree on the Bandon Dunes suggestion...I cannot imagine that any of those four courses (and I know that the original Dunes course was the target of dismay) could be played relentlessly and forgotten. Disney (or was it MGM) at Bandon? Cracker, Please!
D) Royal New Kent had me at Hello, as did Stonehouse. Stonehouse eventually lost me, although Royal New Kent was very rocky all the way round. Speaking of RNK, has anyone else banged a shot off the dude's window behind #16? S.O.B. sits there and keeps your golf ball, although he'll engage in pleasant conversation.
E) I could go on...most of the courses I've played that are highly ranked, grabbed my attention from the start...Old Course, Fox Chapel, Country Club of Buffalo, and on and on and on. There's just not enough time nor breath to play them again and again (and again!)