In 2026, VcG introduces 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: For the first time, the Association of Unattached Golfers in the German Golf Association (VcG) supports three new professional tournaments on the Pro Golf Tour in Germany. The “VcG Bodensee Open,” “VcG Köln Open,” and “VcG Neuhof Open” form a new German Swing, where international young talents will compete in June 2026 at three renowned tournament courses. Each event is endowed with €40,000 prize money.
Three tournaments, three federal states, €40,000 prize funds each
“With our new commitment on the Pro Golf Tour, we aim to specifically support German talents. Our goal is to enable as many young professionals as possible to gain international tournament experience and pave their way to higher playing classes and the 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 participating clubs express great enthusiasm for the premiere. Jean-Claude Parent, President of Golfclub Owingen-Überlingen, emphasizes that hosting a German Swing tournament crowns the club’s sporting ambitions and presents the facility as a top-quality host. Similarly, Achim Lehnstaedt, Club Manager of Golf- und Land-Club Köln, states: “We create a platform for young talents seeking to enter international professional sports – thus combining our tradition with the future of golf.” Golf-Club Neuhof also underlines the event’s importance for supporting young players.
The clubs boast impressive tournament histories. Legends like 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 hosted multiple German championships in youth and age categories.
The Pro Golf Tour as a springboard for professionals
The Pro Golf Tour itself is an official stepping stone for aspiring golfers: The top 5 in the Order of Merit earn full playing rights on the HotelPlanner Tour, and the best players are exempt from the first stage of Qualifying School – an important step toward eligibility for 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 qualified for the