I'd like to throw Prairie Dunes GC in Hutchinson, KS into the discussion.
It is still rated as one of the top rated courses in the USA and has a pedigreed designer, Perry Maxwell. In the last 10 years, PD has hosted the LPGA's US Open and the PGA's Senior Open; both to rave reviews.
I had a friend, through a previous employer, that used to plan a guys weekend playing there on his aunt's membership. His aunt told some great stories over dinner including Nicklaus, Palmer, et al in the 70's were flying in to play Prairie Dunes just prior to the 'Open' to mentally prepare for the links courses. This was before all of the modern day links courses on sandy soil were completed.