In 2026, VcG launches the German Swing with three new Pro Golf Tour events in Germany, each offering €40,000 to support emerging talents.
2026 will be a milestone year for professional golf in Germany as the Vereinigung clubfreier Golfspieler im Deutschen Golf Verband e.V. (VcG) supports three new professional tournaments on the Pro Golf Tour in Germany for the first time. The new ‘German Swing’ features the VcG Bodensee Open, VcG Köln Open, and VcG Neuhof Open, where international young talents will compete on three renowned courses in June 2026. Each event offers a prize purse of €40,000.
Three tournaments, three states, each with €40,000 prize money
\”With our new commitment to the Pro Golf Tour, we aim to specifically support German talents. Our goal is to provide as many young professionals as possible with international tournament experience and to pave their way to higher tours,\” explains Marco Paeke, Managing Director of VcG. The tournaments will be held in Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse: from June 9-11 at Golfclub Owingen-Überlingen (VcG Bodensee Open), June 16-18 at Golf- und Land-Club Köln (VcG Köln Open), and June 23-25 at Golf-Club Neuhof near Frankfurt am Main (VcG Neuhof Open).
The involved clubs are enthusiastic about the premiere. Jean-Claude Parent, President of Golfclub Owingen-Überlingen, highlights that hosting a German Swing tournament crowns the club’s sporting ambitions and showcases the facility as a host of the highest quality. Similarly, Achim Lehnstaedt, Club Manager of Golf- und Land-Club Köln, states: \”We are creating a platform for young talents aiming for international professional golf – thus connecting our tradition with the future of golf.\” Golf-Club Neuhof also emphasizes the event’s significance in fostering young players.
These clubs boast considerable tournament histories. Legends such as Gary Player, Nick Faldo, and Seve Ballesteros competed at the German Open at Golf- und Land-Club Köln. Golfclub Owingen-Überlingen hosted the INGUN Cup and was part of the European Seniors Tour, while Golf-Club Neuhof has repeatedly hosted German Championships in youth and age categories.
The Pro Golf Tour as a springboard for professionals
The Pro Golf Tour is recognized as an official stepping stone for aspiring golfers: the top 5 in the Order of Merit receive full playing rights on the HotelPlanner Tour, with the best players exempt from the first stage of qualifying school, an important step toward earning DP World Tour status. A prominent example is Martin Kaymer, who won five Pro Golf Tour tournaments in 2006 and qualified through this tour and the Challenge Tour (now HotelPlanner Tour) for the European Tour (now DP World Tour).
The VcG’s support extends beyond the Pro Golf Tour: for years, it has backed top tournaments like the German Challenge powered by VcG on the HotelPlanner Tour and the Amundi German Masters powered by VcG on the Ladies European Tour