The 1997 Walker Cup marks only the second "major" golf competition hosted by Quaker Ridge. The first was the 1936 Metropolitan Open, in which a young man named Byron Nelson made it his first significant professional victory. The field for the Open included such greats as Gene Sarazen, Paul Runyan, and Tommy Armour. The golf course over which it was played remains basically unchanged today. The trees are taller and more plentiful, but the layout has not been significantly altered.

The par-70, 6,772-yard A. W. Tillinghast design – often called "Tillie’s Treasure"­ – is frequently mentioned when accomplished golfers are asked to name the best course in the Metropolitan New York area. In March 1989, for example, Quaker Ridge was voted the number one course in the Met Area by The Met Golfer magazine. The course is also highly regarded on both National and international levels. In its 2001 rankings, Golf Digest rated Quaker Ridge 20th in the United States.

Quaker Ridge has hosted 3 Met Opens, 2 Met Amateurs, and 2 Met PGA Championships. The club has always promoted the game of golf, and supported its traditions.