Dear Damon,
At the US Open where Payne Stewart lost to Lee Janzen by one stroke after three putting the 72nd hole, Fuzzy Zoeller commented: "One putt Olympic's 18th green and you win a free game."
There are no "rules" about pin placements, but there are guidelines that should be well known. One of these is that holes should not be located on severe slopes. Another ia that holes generally should be located in an area that is level for about 3 feet around the hole. A third guide is that a putt from anywhere on the green out to be able to come to a stop within two feet of the hole. In addition, when the combination of slope and slick green speed gets to a certain point, the green will not hold a ball. In setting pins, the greenskeeper should avoid BOTH slopes and SEVERE slopes that won't hold a ball. Here are some interesting stories about hole placements.
http://www.golfweb.com/u/ce/multi/pgatour/0,1977,2765926,00.html
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/11/25/1038173693831.html
http://www.gcsaa.org/media/releases/2003/june/holelocations.asp
http://www.usopen.com/2003/press/hole-locations.html
http://www.golfserv.com/gdc/news/article.asp?id=16489
As far as your specific question -- whether to comment on this -- my advice is to comment only after a couple of days, so the super gets the message for the future but doesn't get the notion you think one bad pin placement cost you a win. Even if true, don't let them have the satisfaction of knowing that's what you think.
Cheers!
Geoff Mangum
Putting Theorist and Instructor
The PuttingZone.com
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