In 2026, VcG launches the German Swing: three new Pro Golf Tour events in Germany with €40,000 prize money each to support emerging talents.
2026 will be a special year for German professional golf: For the first time, the Association of Club-Free Golfers in the German Golf Association (VcG) is supporting three new professional tournaments on the Pro Golf Tour in Germany. The \”VcG Bodensee Open,\” \”VcG Cologne Open,\” and \”VcG Neuhof Open\” form a new \”German Swing,\” where international young talents will compete on three renowned courses in June 2026, each event featuring a €40,000 prize fund.
Three Tournaments, Three States, Each with €40,000 Prize Money
\”With our new commitment to the Pro Golf Tour, we want to specifically support German talents. Our goal is to provide as many young professionals as possible with international tournament experience and pave the way for them into 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 9-11 at Golfclub Owingen-Überlingen (VcG Bodensee Open), from June 16-18 at Golf and Country Club Cologne (VcG Cologne Open), and from June 23-25 at Golf Club Neuhof near Frankfurt am Main (VcG Neuhof Open).
The participating clubs expressed their 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 venue as a top-quality host. Similarly, Achim Lehnstaedt, Club Manager of Golf and Country Club Cologne, states, \”We create a platform for young talents seeking the path to international professional tennis – thus connecting our tradition with the future of golf.\” The Golf Club Neuhof also highlights the importance of the event for supporting young players.
The clubs boast an impressive tournament history. Golf and Country Club Cologne hosted legends such as Gary Player, Nick Faldo, and Seve Ballesteros during the German Open. Golfclub Owingen-Überlingen was the venue for the INGUN Cup and part of the European Seniors Tour, while Golf Club Neuhof has hosted multiple German Championships in youth and age groups.
The Pro Golf Tour as a Springboard for Professionals
The Pro Golf Tour is recognized as an official springboard for aspiring golfers: the top five of the Order of Merit receive full playing rights on the HotelPlanner Tour, while the best players are exempted from the first stage of Q-School, an important step towards qualifying for the DP World Tour. A prominent example of the tour’s success is Martin Kaymer, who in 2006 won five Pro Golf Tour events and qualified for the European Tour via this stage and the Challenge Tour (now HotelPlanner Tour).
The VcG invests not only in 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 \”Amundi German Masters powered by Vc