Jeff - good idea for a topic. I'll add a slight spin to my response and add my favorites for each of my previous and current main "home locations" since I have moved around a bit.
1. Topeka, KS - Shawnee Country Club - It's been 18 years but I played in several tourneys here growing up and loved the variety. It was a rare treat growing up in Topeka to get a chance to play classic style greens. At the time, I had no idea of its connection with a famous architect. As a side note, I was always turned off by Topeka CC and it's forced desire to be pretentious. If they haven't implemented a tree mgmt program since, it must be a raging forest by now.
2. Lubbock, TX - Shadow Hills GC - The Rawls Course had not been created yet, unfortunately. So I had to seek out the lesser of all evils. Sure there is Lubbock CC, Lakeridge CC, etc. This is by no means a glowing recommendation for Shadow Hills if you are in the area (don't play anything else but Rawls). However, Shadow Hills did have the firmest conditions I had ever played until meeting up with TOC for the first time. It was an appreciation I didn't realize until many years later. And I still maintain that #11 at Shadow Hills in one of my favorite par 5's I've played with an excellent combination of options and risk/reward.
3. Fort Worth, TX - Colonial CC - Although Bredemus is the name attached, Maxwell clearly had an influence and I believe he is one of the more underrated architects we discuss here. I love Colonial's small greens. It is a very fun course that allows one to play the ball around without too much difficulty. The rough will make it somewhat difficult to get it close on the small greens.
3. Overland Park, KS - Hallbrook CC - I've always thought this could be a US Open venue if they decided they wanted one. Many thought Fazio's original was just way too hard. It probably was, but it sure was a blast to play. It has been softened, but still holds the same strong elements on a good piece of property.
4. Columbia, MO - A.L. Gustin – A pretty good routing on a challenging piece of property. This course is one that I really learned to love as I was able to play it dozens of times. I often found myself agonizing over numerous decisions off the tee on no less than 7-8 holes. To me, this is a something I have come to really appreciate in a golf course’s design.
5. Mendota Heights, MN – White Bear Yacht Club – It has been discussed numerous times. I have heard it get “knocked on” before because of its overall length and a couple of short par 5 holes which are really par 4 ˝ holes. Personally, I think it is kind of a stupid argument. WBYC requires plenty of drivers off the tee. It loses some yardage because of two short par 5’s and two or three shorter par 3’s. What WBYC brings is individuality which ultimately equals really fun golf. There are 4-6 places on the course of which one will never see on another course, anywhere. Most can be found on the greens, but not exclusively. It is a place that I will stop whatever I am doing to run and play whenever the opportunity comes up.