JES II,
You're all BOZO's and HOMER'S
PV's par three's are on Steroids.
# 3 and # 14 have been lengthened considerably and don't come close to resembling the original versions.
Call it the "Augusta Syndrome".
What's been lost in the lengthening of the par 3's at PV is the wonderful variety that once existed.
Golf courses have lost their architectural balance and unique individual hole identity in the effort to present a difficult challenge for the better player.
Par 3's are being lengthened to the point that they're all becoming long iron or fairway wood holes.
BORING and TEDIOUS
If you were to examine par 3's in the context of their original or early form as compared to today's form, Shackamaxon would stand out as having a difficult set.
With respect to modern courses, Sebonack's set is difficult.
From an "architectural perspective, The BETTER question would be:
"What set of par 3's, with great balance/variety would be considered amongst the hardest ?"
As to playing in a 40 mph non-prevailing wind and using those conditions as the benchmark, it's a rare course that is exposed to winds of that nature and velocity, so that would seem to be grounds for disqualification.
# 17 at Sand Hills from the top might be the hardest par 3 in the world under those condtions. SH has a pretty good set too. And to think, I used to use that term to describe one of my favorite features elsewhere.