In 2026, VcG launches the German Swing: three new Pro Golf Tour tournaments in Germany with €40,000 prize money each.
2026 will be a special year for German professional golf as the Association of Club-Free Golfers in the German Golf Association e.V. (VcG) supports three new professional tournaments on the Pro Golf Tour in Germany for the first time. The \”VcG Bodensee Open,\” \”VcG Köln Open,\” and \”VcG Neuhof Open\” form a distinct \”German Swing,\” where international young talents will compete in June 2026 on three renowned courses. Each event offers a prize of 40,000 euros.
Three Tournaments, Three States, Each Offering €40,000 in Prize Money
\”With our new commitment to the Pro Golf Tour, we aim to specifically promote German talents. Our goal is to enable as many young professionals as possible to gain international tournament experience and pave their way to higher levels and major tours,\” explains Marco Paeke, Managing Director of VcG. The tournaments will take place in Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse: from June 9 to 11 at Golfclub Owingen-Überlingen (VcG Bodensee Open), from June 16 to 18 at Golf- und Land-Club Köln (VcG Köln Open), and from June 23 to 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, emphasizes that hosting a German Swing tournament crowns the club’s sporting ambitions and showcases the course as a high-quality host. Similarly, Achim Lehnstaedt, Club Manager of Golf- und Land-Club Köln, states, \”We are creating a platform for young talents seeking a path to international professional golf – thus connecting our tradition with the future of the sport.\” Golf-Club Neuhof also underscores the event’s importance for nurturing young players.
The clubs boast a notable tournament history. Golf- und Land-Club Köln hosted legends like Gary Player, Nick Faldo, and Seve Ballesteros during the German Open. Golfclub Owingen-Überlingen was home to the INGUN Cup and part of the European Seniors Tour, while Golf-Club Neuhof has hosted multiple German Championships in youth and age categories.
The Pro Golf Tour as a Launchpad for Professionals
The Pro Golf Tour itself is regarded as an official springboard for aspiring golfers: the Top-5 on the Order of Merit list earn full playing rights on the HotelPlanner Tour, while the best players are exempted from the first stage of Qualifying School, an important step towards DP World Tour eligibility. A notable example of the tour’s success is Martin Kaymer, who won five tournaments on the Pro Golf Tour in 2006 and progressed through this stage and the Challenge Tour (now HotelPlanner Tour) to qualify for the European Tour (now DP World Tour).
VcG also invests beyond the Pro Golf Tour: for years, the association has supported top-class tournaments like the \”German Challenge powered by VcG\” on the HotelPlanner Tour and the \”Am