The European Challenge Tour will return to Germany for the first time in six years when the German Challenge powered by VCG takes place at Wittelsbacher Golfclub from September 9-12, 2021.
Wittelsbacher Golfclub is one of the most renowned golf courses in Germany. Located north of Munich, between Ingolstadt and Neuburg an der Donau, the parkland course is one of the best sporting challenges in Germany. Wittelsbacher Golfclub is a proven venue for high-class tournaments and has hosted the International German Amateur Championships of Germany eight times, among other events.
Christian Schunck, Deputy Managing Director of Deutsche Golf Sport (DGS) and Tournament Director of the German Challenge powered by VcG, said: "We are very pleased that Wittelsbacher Golfclub will host the German Challenge together with us.
"The great enthusiasm of those responsible for the opportunity to promote German golf is palpable and we feel excellently positioned for the event. The facility with its excellent infrastructure, the management with experience in European Tour events and the high sporting standards perfectly fits our requirements and those of the Challenge Tour."
Korbinian Kofler, Managing Director of Wittelsbacher Golfclub, said: "As a partner of the tournament, we want to present the course in the best possible quality, support the organising team with maximum energy and treat everyone with our great cordiality.
"From my many years of experience with events on the European Tour, I know the preparation scenario in terms of greenkeeping, course set-up and infrastructure. Here, the requirements have to be met with the utmost commitment and, in the best case, to surprise."
The German Challenge powered by VcG is a joint venture between the governing German golf organisations and Wittelsbacher Golfclub, which together realise the long-cherished wish of a Challenge Tour tournament on German soil. In addition to the DGV, the joint venture includes the PGA of Germany, the Deutsche Golf Sport GmbH (DGS) and, as a powering partner and main financier, the Vereinigung clubfreier Golfspieler (VcG) which is the organisation of golfers without club membership.
The German Challenge powered by VcG closes the competition gap between the Pro Golf Tour and the European Tour - and thus expands the promotion opportunities for German junior golfers.
"For the broadly positioned leading association DGV, the association with the DGS, the PGA of Germany and the VcG has the potential to effectively present its competitive side to the public," says Achim Battermann, Deputy DGV President and Vice President of the VcG.
"This is a central building block in the effort to appeal to young people to take up golf as a competitive sport - and thus not only beneficial for Germany's young professionals, but also for golf in Germany in general, which was very successful last year with many international titles in the amateur sector."
Marcus Neumann, DGV Board Member for Sport, said: "Talent and competitive experience in the amateur field are only one prerequisite for success. Regulated and frequent opportunities to play on the Tour increase the chances of reaching the European Tour level on the one hand, but on the other hand only the tough competition at Challenge Tour level prepares the players for the European Tour."
Rainer Goldrian, Managing Director of the German Professional Golfers Association, adds: "For us as the PGA of Germany, this event is indeed of outstanding importance. The reasons for the recent positive development of the performance of the German junior players are simply to be found in the greater competition that is made possible by the Pro Golf Tour, among other things.
"For the top players, however, it is now necessary to create opportunities to play one level higher - on the Challenge Tour. Thanks to the German Challenge powered by VcG, starting places for other Challenge Tour tournaments can now be exchanged, making up to seven tournament participations possible for the best junior players."
Jamie Hodges, Head of Challenge Tour, said: “The Challenge Tour aligns with the European Tour’s overarching pillar of being global and, through this, we will visit 15 countries across three continents during our 2021 season.
"We are delighted to be returning to Germany after a six-year absence for the German Challenge powered by VcG and we hope to raise the profile of aspiring golfers in Germany who can follow in the footsteps of former Challenge Tour players who have gone on to shine on the world stage, such as Martin Kaymer.”
