In 2026, VcG launches the German Swing: three new Pro Golf Tour events in Germany each with €40,000 prize money.
2026 will be a special year for professional golf in Germany: For the first time, the Association of Golfers without a Club in the German Golf Association (VcG) supports three new professional tournaments on the Pro Golf Tour in Germany. The \”VcG Bodensee Open,\” the \”VcG Köln Open,\” and the \”VcG Neuhof Open\” will form a dedicated \”German Swing,\” where international young talents will compete on three renowned courses in June 2026. Each event offers a prize fund of €40,000.
Three Tournaments, Three Federal States, Each with €40,000 Prize Money
\”With our new commitment to the Pro Golf Tour, we want to specifically promote German talents. Our goal is to provide as many young professionals as possible with international tournament experience and pave their way to higher tour levels and major tours,\” explains Marco Paeke, Managing Director of VcG. The tournaments take place in Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse: from June 9 to 11 at Golf Club Owingen-Überlingen (VcG Bodensee Open), from June 16 to 18 at Golf and Country Club Cologne (VcG Köln Open), and from June 23 to 25 at Golf Club Neuhof near Frankfurt am Main (VcG Neuhof Open).
The participating clubs are enthusiastic about the premiere. Jean-Claude Parent, president of Golf Club Owingen-Überlingen, emphasizes that hosting a German Swing tournament crowns the club’s sporting ambitions and presents the facility as a host of the highest quality. Similarly, Achim Lehnstaedt, club manager of the Golf and Country Club Cologne, states: \”We create a platform for young talents seeking a path to international professional golf – thus connecting our tradition with the future of the sport.\” The Golf Club Neuhof also underlines the event’s importance in promoting young players.
The clubs have a remarkable tournament history. Legends like Gary Player, Nick Faldo, and Seve Ballesteros played at the German Open at the Golf and Country Club Cologne. Golf Club Owingen-Überlingen hosted the INGUN Cup and was part of the European Seniors Tour, while Golf Club Neuhof has hosted multiple German championships for youth and age categories.
The Pro Golf Tour as a Launchpad for Professionals
The Pro Golf Tour itself is considered an official stepping stone for aspiring golfers: The top 5 of the Order of Merit list receive full playing rights on the HotelPlanner Tour, while the best players are exempt from the first stage of Qualifying School, an important step towards qualification for the DP World Tour. A prominent example is Martin Kaymer, who won five tournaments on the Pro Golf Tour in 2006 and qualified for the European Tour (now DP World Tour) through this stage and the Challenge Tour (now HotelPlanner Tour).
The VcG’s investments extend beyond the Pro Golf Tour: For years, the association has supported high-level tournaments such as the \”German Challenge powered by VcG\” on the HotelPlanner Tour and the \”Am