In 2026, the VcG launches the German Swing with three new Pro Golf Tour events in Germany, each offering €40,000 in prize money.
2026 will be a special year for German professional golf as the Vereinigung clubfreier Golfspieler (VcG) within the German Golf Association supports three new professional tournaments on the Pro Golf Tour across Germany. The \”VcG Bodensee Open,\” \”VcG Cologne Open,\” and \”VcG Neuhof Open\” will form a dedicated German Swing, where international young talents will compete on three renowned courses in June 2026. Each event has 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 specifically want to promote German talents. Our goal is to provide as many young professionals as possible with international tournament experience and pave their way to higher-level tours,\” said Marco Paeke, CEO of VcG. The tournaments are scheduled in Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse: from June 9-11 at Golfclub Owingen-Überlingen (VcG Bodensee Open), June 16-18 at Golf and Country Club Cologne (VcG Cologne Open), and June 23-25 at Golf-Club Neuhof near Frankfurt am Main (VcG Neuhof Open).
The participating clubs express great enthusiasm about the premiere event. Jean-Claude Parent, President of Golfclub Owingen-Überlingen, emphasized 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, stated, \”We create a platform for young talents seeking a path into international professional golf – thus connecting our tradition with the sport’s future.\” Golf-Club Neuhof also underlines the event’s importance in fostering young players.
These clubs have notable tournament histories. Legends such as Gary Player, Nick Faldo, and Seve Ballesteros competed at the Golf and Country Club Cologne during the German Open. Golfclub Owingen-Überlingen hosted the INGUN Cup and was part of the European Seniors Tour, while Golf-Club Neuhof has organized multiple German championships in youth and senior 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 players on the Order of Merit receive full playing rights on the HotelPlanner Tour, and the best players are exempted from the first stage of Qualifying School, an important step toward eligibility on the DP World Tour. A prominent success story from the tour is Martin Kaymer, who won five tournaments on the Pro Golf Tour in 2006 and progressed via the Challenge Tour (now HotelPlanner Tour) to the European Tour (now DP World Tour).
VcG’s investments extend beyond the Pro Golf Tour. The association has long supported prestigious tournaments such as the \”German Challenge powered by VcG\” on the HotelPlanner Tour and the \”Amundi German Masters powered by VcG\” on the Ladies European Tour, both