Walking for Connection: Bench-to-Bench Walk – The Golf One - 21st September 2025
Using Golf as a Positive Force for Change
On Sunday 21st September 2025, Speakeasy Club will partner with Zach Gould Golf, with support from Wales Golf, for a very special 40-mile “Bench-to-Bench Walk”. The route begins at the world-famous Celtic Manor Resort and ends at the historic Glamorganshire Golf Club – the birthplace of the Stableford scoring system.
The walk will pass through five golf clubs and five Speakeasy Benches, celebrating the power of golf to bring people together, build community, and support better mental health.
Each Speakeasy Bench carries a simple but powerful message: You’re Not On Your Own. Every bench also features a QR code linking to free online resources, offering immediate help to anyone who may be struggling.
Golf as a Catalyst for Connection
For many, golf is about much more than the scorecard – it’s about friendship, belonging, and being part of something bigger. That message is felt strongly by Ria Burriage-Male, a new member at Pontypridd Golf Club, one of the stops along the route.
“I used to enjoy playing golf with my family when I was younger. Recently I returned to Pontypridd GC and it’s been a game-changer. I love the competition, I love the camaraderie and I love the fact I can go out and play a few holes on my own. Enjoying the fresh air, green spaces, and the freedom it brings has been huge for my mental health.” – Ria Burriage-Male
Walking for Better Mental Health
Since the very first Bench-to-Bench Walk in September 2024, over 50 walkers have collectively covered more than 1,000 miles to raise awareness and funds.
For Speakeasy founder Simon Clarke, this September’s walk holds special meaning:
“We’ve already walked over a thousand miles between 37 sports clubs and 32 of our benches, but this one is special. It finishes at Glamorganshire Golf Club – where I grew up playing, and the only club I’ve ever wanted to be part of. Golf has given me so much on and off the course, and these benches are about giving something back – building communities, providing free resources, and showing people they’re not on their own.” – Simon Clarke, Speakeasy Founder
Building the Future Together
Funds raised from the walk will go directly into expanding Speakeasy’s work – building more benches, providing free mental health resources, and supporting new-to-golf programmes that give more people the chance to experience the game’s benefits first-hand.
Theo Baker, Head of Participation and Club Governance at Wales Golf, said:
“Wales Golf is proud to support the Bench-to-Bench Walk, highlighting the role golf can play in building connection, community, and positive mental health. Together we can make a lasting impact, both on and off the course. It’s important that there is a legacy to challenges like this, and we’re looking forward to working with Simon and the Speakeasy team to expand this support across Wales.”
Zach Gould, former Junior Ryder Cup player and now one of golf’s leading health and fitness experts, added:
“Golf has been such a big part of my life – from the highs of representing Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup to now helping golfers improve their health and fitness. But what matters most is how the game brings people together. The Speakeasy Bench-to-Bench Walk is an incredible way of showing that golf is about more than sport – it’s about connection, wellbeing, and supporting each other on and off the course.” – Zach Gould
???? “On and off the course, golf has the power to change lives.” – Zach Gould
Simon Clarke concluded:
“With over 20 years’ experience in the sport and leisure sector, we know the financial pressures clubs and governing bodies face. Everything we do is designed to relieve that pressure. Sport has the power to connect people in ways health and social services can’t always reach. By working with Wales Golf, we want to roll out more benches across clubs, support new-to-golf initiatives, and make mental health a natural part of the game.”
Event Details
- Date: Sunday 21st September 2025
- Route: Celtic Manor Resort → Newport Golf Club → Pontypridd Golf Club → Radyr Golf Club → Glamorganshire Golf Club
- Distance: Approx. 40 miles
- Cause: Raising funds for Speakeasy benches, mental health resources, and community programmes
Wales Golf - www.walesgolf.org
Zach Gould Golf - www.zachgouldgolf.co.uk
Speakeasy Club CIC - www.speakeasyclub.co.uk
Speakeasy Classic Charity Golf Day
Title: Speakeasy Classic Charity Golf Day
Guest Speakers: Joe Ledley
Venue: Glamorganshire Golf Club
Date: Thursday August 22nd 2024
Events
- Breakfast on arrival
- 18 holes Texas Scramble
- Speakeasy welcome pack
- Live on course scoring with VPAR
- Longest drive & Nearest the pin competitions
- On course beverages
- Welcome back drink
- 2 course meal
- Clubhouse conversation with special sporting guests
- Charity Fundraising
- Charity Putting competition
As of 7th Augsut, We currently have 3 spaces left for teams and sponsorship opporunuties available proiced at £50 and £100 each .
If you’d like to get imvolved please contact Simon Clarke on Simon@speakeasyclub.co.uk
Clubhouse Conversations Live...
Title: Clubhouse Conversations Live
Guest Speakers: Shaun Edwards
Venue: Llanharan Rugby Club
Date: Sept 7th 2024
Events
Speakeasy Club is delighted to partner with Llanharan RFC and welcome Rugby’s dual code behemoth, Shaun Edwards to the Clubhouse on Saturday 7th September.
Over 14 years representing hometown team Wigan in Rugby League, with over 450 appearances and over 270 tries. Shaun has 37 winners medals whilst playing in the league, was voted man of Steel in 1990 and in 2015 was the 25th inductee in the Rugby League Hall of fame. Shaun also had stints with London Broncos twice, Balmain Tigers in Sydney and Bradford Bulls.
After 10 years at Wasps working with a certain Warren Gatland, Shaun joined the Welsh National set-up and over 12 years commanded incredible respect on and off the pitch. As well as a place on the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour as defence coach, there were 6 Six Nations Championships, 3 Grand Slams and 2 World Cup Semi-Finals (and plenty of great memories!).
Shaun joined the French National set up, winning another Grand Slam in 2022, becoming the only coach to win multiple Grand Slams with 2 different Nations in 6 Nations’ history.
Hosted by Speakeasy Club and supported by Llanharan RFC, Shaun will reminisce on some tales from his career on and off the pitch. This will be followed by a Q&A including a deep dive into his time with Wales, Wigan & the Lions (and who knows, maybe a special World Cup story?!) as well as questions from the audience.
We will also be raising money for charity on the night – LooseHeadz – auctioning a signed France jersey, personalised to the winning bidder.
Event details:
630pm – VIP Meet & Greet
730pm to 9pm – Evenings conversations with Shaun & Q&A
Llanharan RFC, 16 & Over only.
Theatre-style seating.
Throughout the evening, we will be raising money for Looseheadz charity: https://looseheadz.co.uk/pages/about-us
As part of our commitment to being inquisitive, learning about others and ourselves. We’re both passionate & proud of our #shareyourshirt campaign.
On the night of the 7th September, we will be encouraging you to wear your favourite rugby shirt. It can be for any reason whatsoever. We want to start conversations with like-minded people, and find out about why that shirt and that team. The aim is to encourage people to learn something they didn’t know before, promoting curiosity and openness.
There will be a free drink on the night for anyone wearing a classic Shaun Edwards Wigan shirt!
We really look forward to welcoming you to the Clubhouse on the 7th of September, so sign up through the above link to secure your place!
Simon, the team at Speakeasy Club and Llanharan RFC
Wine tasting through sport with Ernie Els Wines
Title: Wine tasting through sport with Ernie Els Wines
Guest Speakers: Louis Strydom, Head Winemaker @ Ernie Els Wines
Venue: Online
Date: August 15th 2024
Events
We’re delighted to partner with Frontier Wines & Ernie Els Wines and excited to invite you to a FREE virtual wine-tasting evening with Louis Strydom, Head Winemaker at Ernie Els Wines dialling in LIVE from South Africa & in partnership with Frontier Fine wines
We will be tasting Ernie Els Big Easy Rose 2023 and Ernie Els Major Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2020.
Click here to order your wines from Frontier Wines and use the exclusive code EESPEAKEASY10 to receive 10% off.
Feel free to purchase both bottles we’ll be tasting or just one of them! You are also invited to join us to just listen and be part of the conversation too 🙂
This unique event is exactly 30 years since Ernie Els himself won his first major title at the US Open, and the week following the 2024 addition begins in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
This virtual evening will be hosted by Speakeasy Club and includes a live Clubhouse conversation AND tasting with the head winemaker at Ernie Els Wines, Louis Strydom.
????Online
???? Thursday 15th August
⏰ 7pm to 8pm GMT
???? FREE (Wines sold separately)
You’ll have the chance to:
???? Hear the Story behind @ernieelswines winery & Louis’ passion for wine
???? Hear about the winemaking process in Stellenbosch
???? Experience Louis talk through the “Big Easy” Cabernet Sauvignon Rose and the “Major Series” Cabernet Sauvignon.
???? Ask questions and be curious about what goes into the wine ???? making process
???? Access exclusive offers from Frontier Wines
???? Enjoy these fantastic wines with friends
We hope you can join us on the night and look forward to seeing you enjoying these incredible wines.
For any queries regarding your wine orders, please contact info@frontierfinewines.co.uk
For any queries about the event or logging into the event, please contact simon@speakeasyclub.co.uk
Clubhouse Conversations Live...
Title: Clubhouse Conversations Live…
Guest Speakers: Shaun Edwards
Venue: Asador44, Cardiff City Centre
Date: Sept 5th 2024
Events
We’re super excited to partner with @asador44 on a unique and immersive afternoon with a true legend of Welsh sport, Shaun Edwards.
One way to support that is by having fun, supportive and curious conversations with individuals. In a friendly and relaxed atmosphere at the award winning Asadaor44, Shaun will talk through his incredible career on and off the field of play, sharing with us the good and the bad times and how he navigated the challenges whilst celebrating the success.
It’s sure to be a fascinating afternoon of insights, laughs heart-warming memories and maybe even a sing-song!
On the day, we’ll fundraise the world-leading rugby mental health charity @looseheadz .
We have very limited places available for the afternoon so don’t delay and book your space today.
???? Thursday 5th September 2024
???? Asador44, Cardiff City Centre
???? 1 pm to 5pm
???? £150 per head
Limited places are available so to secure your seat for this unique afternoon, contact reservations@grupo44.co.uk