It holds an important place in golf history, as it is one of the five charter clubs that founded the United States Golf Association and has hosted numerous USGA tournaments, including the 1913 U.S. Open won by then-unknown Francis Ouimet.

[3] The original club was focused on horseback-riding and other outdoor activities; the golf course was not built until 1893.

For several years there were conflicts between golfers and other club members over land use; in fact the original golf course overlapped with the pre-existing race track.

Campbell was in large part responsible for the development of caddie Francis Ouimet into a championship caliber player.

After 72 holes the pair found themselves tied with 20-year-old amateur Francis Ouimet—who had grown up across the street from the course and was a former caddy at the club—forcing an 18-hole playoff the next day.

In a shocking upset, Ouimet soundly defeated the two professional golfers in front of a large gallery, and the resulting newspaper stories captured the imagination of the American public.

However, the 2013 U.S. Open, marking the 100th anniversary of Ouimet's improbable win, was contested at Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia.

The story of Francis Ouimet's triumph at the 1913 US Open was commercialized by Mark Frost’s 2002 book, The Greatest Game Ever Played: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf, which Frost then adapted for a 2005 film.

The Main Course is composed of the Clyde and Squirrel nines, essentially the original 18 holes.

The Championship, Composite, Anniversary, or Open Course is used for major competitions today, when a longer layout is required.