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 (VcG) supports three new professional tournaments on the Pro Golf Tour in Germany. The \”VcG Bodensee Open,\” \”VcG Cologne Open,\” and \”VcG Neuhof Open\” form the \”German Swing,\” where international young talents will compete on three renowned courses in June 2026. Each event is endowed with €40,000 in prize money.
Three Tournaments, Three States, €40,000 Prize Money Each
\”With our new engagement on 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 tiers and major tours,\” explains Marco Paeke, Managing Director of the VcG. The tournaments will take place in Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse: 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 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 presents the facility as a top-quality host. Similarly, Achim Lehnstaedt, club manager at Golf and Country Club Cologne, states, \”We create a platform for young talents seeking a path into international professional sports – connecting our tradition with golf’s future.\” Golf Club Neuhof also highlights the event’s importance for supporting young players.
These clubs boast significant tournament histories. Golf and Country Club Cologne hosted legends like Gary Player, Nick Faldo, and Seve Ballesteros during the German Open. Golfclub Owingen-Überlingen hosted the INGUN Cup and was part of the European Seniors Tour, while Golf Club Neuhof has frequently hosted German championships in youth and age categories.
The Pro Golf Tour as a Stepping Stone for Pros
The Pro Golf Tour itself is recognized as an official stepping stone for aspiring golfers: the top 5 on the Order of Merit receive full playing privileges on the HotelPlanner Tour, while the best players are exempted from the first stage of the Qualifying School, a crucial step toward eligibility for the DP World Tour. A prominent success story is Martin Kaymer, who won five Pro Golf Tour events in 2006 and qualified for the European Tour (now DP World Tour) through this stage and the Challenge Tour (now HotelPlanner Tour).
VcG’s investments extend beyond the Pro Golf Tour: the association has long supported top-tier 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 events are among the most important professional fixtures in the German golf calendar and greatly contribute to the sport’s visibility