Tom,
Congrats on Tara Iti! Although I've yet to see it and as such, unable to vote for it, everyone whose opinion I really respect waxes enthusiastically about the course. It's on my 2018-19 list!
Jason Topp,
Having played both Ellerston and Trump Aberdeen, it's very reasonable to say both have enough merit to attain Top 100 status. Neither is perfect (which course is?), but both are examples of excellent designs executed on wonderful properties and deserve their respective slots. David Davis' reply was spot on, save for the rejoinder about courses that next-to-no-one can play making the list. If that was a qualifier, then the likes of ANGC, CPC, PV, Seminole, LACC, SFGC and many others would be conspicuous by their absence.
MCutterbuck,
Your assessment of Teeth of Dog squares with mine, but we both reside in the minority. For reasons related to it's adjacent-to-the ocean and the quality of it's rest, it consistently rates higher than not IMO. I don't know that I'd substitute Gullane or Indian Creek over it, but there certainly are a number of other courses more worthy.
Jim Franklin,
WBYC is close, but not "definitely" a Top 100 course. There are so many good US choices (and they certainly don't include the likes of Canyata, Medinah, Butler or Rich Harvest Links) to pick from just outside of our Top 100. In addition to the "bubble courses.,"( i.e Whipporwill, St. Georges, Old Elm, Wilshire, Meadow, etc).... To the best of my knowledge Spring Hill didn't sniff our Top 150.....nor should it....best left and suited for GD's criteria and list.
Rich Macafee,
Your astute observation is correct. Most puzzling, but not inconsistent with the statistical margin of error for any of the magazines' over-worked, underpaid photo editors! I nominate GCA's own Jon Cavalier for the job(s).
John Kirk,
Your "just making conversation" would have to include (and demerit) so many otherwise fine courses for either their repetitious of use of singular land feature, bad weather, or too hilly. I'd cheerfully remind you that great golf that appears on challenged, tight and undulating property reflects design excellence and routing ingenuity. The genius behind the likes of WFW, WFE, Merion, Myopia, Eastward Ho, Somerset Hills and Old Town should remind us of what can be accomplished on smaller properties with and without hills and singular land features. All that said, Pasatiempo deserves a higher spot!
David Elvins,
Lost Farm may suffer from proximity comparison...and some other courses suffer similarly, but your question about whether Ellerston's rank would suffer with a neighboring Doak is already answered somewhat at the Eastern end of LI, Northern NZ, Northern Michigan, and Eastern Colorado.
I don't disagree with you on why Bandon Dunes rates as high as it does, but it's hardly any "average course" despite being less dramatic than Pac Dunes. IMO (and vote), Bandon Trails deserved better.
Mike Sweeney,
Excellent point. You know I agree with you re: Galloway and am anxious to see Congaree early next year.. It should also be noted that the likes of Gozzer Ranch and Martis Camp are very worthy venues.
All,
I think the most confusing part of our list is why a small number (3-5) of courses are still permitted to find spots on an otherwise well-curated list?? Like Tom, Schulzie, et.al. have all alluded to, the business tar that taints our list is apparent and seemingly embedded, despite the vocal protestation of many panelists (nearly every one ever found posting on GCA btw!)
It is the sincere wish of this subset of panelists that this taint dies a swifter death than not, but it is beyond our fraction of votes.....for now. No matter, I'm otherwise very, very proud to say this list does a far better job, than any other periodical, of representing what is truly important in golf architecture.....fun and excellence..