Each Wednesday, I post a weekly update to the digest “If You Had Money”, which shows the sporting goods and memorabilia you could purchase if disposable income was no longer a thing of the past. Each week, it will inevitably leave you wanting…

Afternoon, paper chasers. Something nifty for all you folks out there with Senatorial seat-bidding cash on hand…

This is possibly America’s oldest manufactured golf club. Do I hear $155,000 please?

And it sounds like somebody did there homework here….Rafter Radiocarbon Laboratories in New Zealand dates the wood back to 1760 (+/- 40 years). Also, the design is crude as compared to the Scottish clubs that were being produced at the time, and they believe that this stick was made by a U.S. blacksmith.

Despite it’s origins on this side of the pond, this club come with a lifetime membership to the Old Course at St. Andrews, and a welcome invitation to engage in night putting with the Dunhill town strumpet anytime you feel compelled.

NOTE: If you’re going to get the sticks, you have to have the attire to match…I’m talking pre-Judge Schmales era. I’d suggest going with the Purple and Taupe Payne Stewart get-up (c/o GolfKnickers.com)

Wild story I pulled from The Telegrath…

After competing in next month’s World Championships, storied women’s squash player Vicky Botwright will retire from the game, and become the Head of Squash in Manchester – home of England’s Squash Association (WISPA) and the National Squash Centre.

Botwright moves on from a career that is marked by some of the most incendiary PR tomfoolery Pro sports promotion has seen since the turn of the century…

At the 2001 British Open, a 16th-ranked Botwright entered the court wearing only a bikini top and thong for an early round match (see the photos below from SquashPics.com). She claimed the traditional squash attire (and I guess speedos, bike shorts, tank tops by extension) was too constrictive. On account of this being completely ridiculous, she was not allowed to compete until she got dressed.

WISPA quickly admitted this to be a lavish publicity stunt, the brainchild of director Andrew Shelley, who scripted the whole thing. Nevertheless, it set off a media frenzy, as Botwright was dubbed the Lancashire Hot Bot, at one point vaulting into the top-10 in the Google search term rankings. Seven years later, the scandalous photos still show up first when you search for her on Google.

Of course, Botwright was moderately to fully aware (how could she not be?) of what she was voluntarily letting herself get involved in. In yesterday’s Telegrath, she’s quoted saying:

“It was the governing body’s idea and obviously was completely staged. I didn’t go to one of the meetings I was supposed to attend and that was my punishment. Always go to a meeting – that’s the key!”

The World Squash Championships run from Oct. 11-19, and shortly thereafter Botwright will takeover as Chief. And barring any unforeseen stunts at next month’s event, retain the title of squash’s most recognizable yet controversial figure.

Links:

Vicky Botwright ready to expose new role for British squash
SQUASH BOSSES GET THEIR KNICKERS IN A TWIST