Mike Aitken reported in the Scotsman yesterday that the Prestwick Club will be handing a championship belt to the winner of the 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrew's.

For only the second time since Young Tom Morris won three consecutive Opens between 1868 and 1870, an achievement which entitled him to take permanent possession of the championship belt, Prestwick golf club will present the winner of the Open in St Andrews in 2010 with a replica of the prized red morocco leather belt ornamented with silver.

While all the victors since Young Tom, who received a gold medal in 1872, have lifted the Claret Jug, Sandy Lyle was the fortunate recipient of a replica belt in 1985 at Royal St George's to mark the championship's 125th anniversary.

By way of noting next summer's 150th anniversary of the oldest major, Prestwick again intend to mark the occasion by gifting the champion golfer of 2010 with a replica.

Young Tom Morris with the Belt

It stuns me that the belt ceremony has only happened once since 1870.  If the R&A put a replica Open Championship belt out for sale, they would sell like hot cakes.  I really hope that they modernize the belt like World Wrestling Entertainment has with their title.

via i274.photobucket.com

Can't you imagine Padraig Harrington just beaming upon receipt of a spinning Open Championship title belt?  Maybe he would like a Scrolling Belt buckle that reads "2007, 2008, 2009 Open Champion?"

via cms.images.morris.com

Ok, even if the R&A doesn't come out with a replica, spinning Open Championship belt for sale, at least come out with a replica Claret Jug.  I would buy one of those in a heartbeat.