I like the work of Fazio, Nicklaus (probably in my top 5-10 of people I admire most), Rees Jones, Brauer, Doak, C & C, Plummer, Wilson, MacKenzie, Tillinghast, and Thomas.
I prefer long courses with multiple tees to short courses with only a couple of sets and being forced to play the shortest (fairly common in the UK).
I prefer the more subtle Plummer greens to the heavily contoured greens of yesteryear, particularly when speeds get above 10'.
Augusta National is #1 on my bucket list (which I no longer pursue with much enthusiasm).
As to golf heroes, Spaulding, Huntley, and Huckaby are a toss-up, though Goodale, Papazian, and Schmidt ("I don't give a Sh--") get consideration.
While I find architecture interesting and have studied the literature extensively, playing and posting a score are paramount; good architecture enhances the experience.
I don't find that being unashamedly of the "card and pencil" type and holding Dr. MacKenzie in the highest regard is evidence of mental illness.
I don't have an issue with asking acquaintances for access to a golf course and welcome the opportunity to help others when I am able, though I respect other perspectives on the subject.
I always look forward to the course ratings sections, and though they're imperfect like everything else, they serve very useful purposes.