The Pro Golf Tour, formerly the EPD Tour (European Professional Development Tour), is a developmental professional golf tour based in Germany. It is a third-level tour, the highest level of men's golf in Europe being the European Tour, and the second level being the Challenge Tour. The other third-level tours in Europe are the United Kingdom-based PGA EuroPro Tour, the Alps Tour, which is sanctioned by the national golf unions of several countries, including France and Italy, and the Nordic Golf League in the Nordic countries. Beginning in July 2015, the four third-level tours carry Official World Golf Ranking points.[1]
Current season, competition or edition: 2024 Pro Golf Tour | |
| Formerly | EPD Tour Renault EPD Tour Pro Tour Esprit |
|---|---|
| Sport | Golf |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Wayne Hachey |
| First season | 1997 |
| Countries | Based in Central Europe[a] |
| Most titles | Tournament wins: Marcel Haremza (12) |
| Official website | https://www.progolftour.de/ |
The EPD Tour was established by Canadian golf professional Wayne Hachey in 1997 and has been recognised as an official third level tour by the PGA European Tour since 2001.[2] In 2005 the PGA of Germany took over the EPD Tour.[3]
The top ten players on the Order of Merit are awarded a bypass to the second stage of European Tour Qualifying School. The five leading players earn an additional perk with status on the second-tier Challenge Tour.
EPD Tour alumni include major winner Martin Kaymer, as well as Tobias Dier and Marcel Siem, who have both won on the European Tour.
Order of Merit winners edit
| Year | Winner | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Timo Vahlenkamp |
21,490 |
| 2022 | Michael Hirmer |
17,785 |
| 2021 |  Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon |
17,977 |
| 2020 | Thomas Rosenmüller |
25,364 |
| 2019 | Hurly Long |
28,999 |
| 2018 |  Craig Howie |
23,481 |
| 2017 | Nicolai von Dellingshausen |
29,651 |
| 2016 | Antoine Schwartz |
22,105 |
| 2015 | Philipp Mejow |
35,311 |
| 2014 | Marcel Schneider |
29,666 |
| 2013 | Florian Fritsch |
29,278 |
| Year | Winner | Prize money (€) |
| 2012 | Marcel Haremza |
26,362 |
| 2011 |  Reinier Saxton |
34,809 |
| 2010 | Benjamin Miarka |
25,641 |
| 2009 | Bernd Ritthammer |
25,319 |
| 2008 |  James Ruth |
23,441 |
| 2007 | Tino Schuster |
25,287 |
| 2006 | Martin Kaymer |
26,664 |
| 2005 | Nicolas Meitinger |
20,280 |
| 2004 |  Søren Juul |
22,750 |
| 2003 | Darren Leng |
18,208 |
| 2002 | Richard Porter |
15,104 |
| 2001 |  Regis Gustave |
8,973 |
| Year | Winner | Points |
| 2000 |  Karel Skopový |
2,025 |
| 1999 | No information known | |
| 1998 | ||
| 1997 | ||
Notes edit
- ^ Schedules have also included events in Egypt, France, Morocco, Spain and Turkey.
References edit
- ^ "OWGR Board Announce Inclusion of New Tours". Official World Golf Ranking. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
- ^ "Our commitment to our Members". EPD Tour. Archived from the original on 5 March 2001. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
- ^ "About the European Professional Development Tour". EPD Tour. Archived from the original on 3 April 2005. Retrieved 13 October 2022.