I was just reading about the Pritzker Architecture Prize in the Globe and Mail newspaper this morning. For architects, it's apparently the world’s most significant award. And, according to architecture critic Lisa Rochon, "one that showers vast prestige and $100,000 on its laureates".
Established in 1978, by Jay and Cindy Pritzker of the Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels empire, the purpose of the Pritzker Architecture Prize is “to honour a living architect whose built work demonstrates a combination of those qualities of talent, vision and commitment, which has produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture".
Aside from the usual rankings and annual "best new" awards, it's a bit unfortunate that similarly more sophisticated "prizes" haven't been established in the field of golf course architecture over the years.