The VcG launches the German Swing in 2026: three new Pro Golf Tour events in Germany, each with a €40,000 prize fund to support young talents.
2026 will be a landmark 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 Köln Open’, and ‘VcG Neuhof Open’ will form the ‘German Swing’, featuring international young talents competing at three prestigious courses in June 2026. Each event boasts a prize fund of €40,000.
Three Tournaments, Three States, €40,000 Each
\”With our new commitment to the Pro Golf Tour, we aim to specifically support German talents. Our goal is to provide as many young professionals as possible with international tournament experience and to pave their way into higher leagues 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), June 16-18 at Golf- und Land-Club Köln (VcG Köln 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 showcases the venue’s high quality as a host. Likewise, Achim Lehnstaedt, Club Manager of Golf- und Land-Club Köln, states, \”We create a platform for young talent seeking the path to international professional golf – connecting our tradition with the future of the sport.\” The Golf-Club Neuhof also highlights the event’s importance for supporting young players.
These clubs have a notable tournament history. Legends like Gary Player, Nick Faldo, and Seve Ballesteros played 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 senior categories.
The Pro Golf Tour as a Springboard for Pros
The Pro Golf Tour is regarded as an official stepping stone for aspiring golfers: the top-five players in the Order of Merit earn full playing rights on the HotelPlanner Tour, and top players bypass the first stage of Q-School, a key step towards earning status on the DP World Tour. A prominent example is Martin Kaymer, who won five Pro Golf Tour events in 2006, advancing through this stage and the Challenge Tour (now HotelPlanner Tour) to the European Tour (now DP World Tour).
VcG’s investments extend beyond the Pro Golf Tour: for years the association has supported high-class 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 major professional events in