After he completed the 1974 U S Open which came to be known as The Massacre at Winged Foot Jack Nicklaus was asked if he felt the West Course at the historic site was the best course in the world According to reports he said It may be but let me tell you there is quite a golf course down the street The Golden Bear was referring to Quaker Ridge Among A W Tillinghast s finest designs Quaker Ridge Golf Club was the home of the 1997 Walker Cup but the club has shied away from the spotlight since it opened in 1916 so many people outside the members know little about it The hilly land was used by both the American and British armies during the American War for Independence and according to legend General George Washington slept under the large Oak tree that still stands on the 10th fairway When the club first opened in 1914 it had nine holes Tillinghast was hired in 1916 and promptly expanded the course to 18 holes He also redesigned many of the previous holes and the course was opened for play in 1918 as a Tillinghast original design Nearly all the holes are lined with trees and the lightning quick greens are legendary Tillinghast s bunkering is both original and clever by design forcing better players to make risk reward decisions on nearly every shot In addition to steering clear of the bunkers golfers must avoid ponds and creeks on various holes as well as significant elevation changes