The Scot, a four-time DP World Tour winner, was part of the European team that retained the Ryder Cup in 2014, winning 16.5-11.5 at Gleneagles.
Three boys and three girls will earn a place on the European Junior Ryder Cup team through a season-long ranking system, which has been organised by the European Golf Association, while the remaining six players will be selected by Gallacher, the European Junior Ryder Cup Captain.
Gallacher set up his own foundation to help and encourage junior golfers in Scotland and he will now lead the European junior team in Rome as he continues to inspire the next generation of golfers.
“I am absolutely delighted to be named Junior European Ryder Cup Captain for 2023,” said Gallacher. “It’s a privilege to be able to lead a team of the best juniors in Europe against America in Rome. “Playing the final day at Marco Simone will be a fantastic experience for our players who get the opportunity to compete in front of Ryder Cup crowds on the Ryder Cup course for the first time.”
He added: “I’m really looking forward to getting to some events during the year and working with the most exciting future talent in Europe.”
Players will earn points for the Rankings based on their finishing position in selected elite amateur events in 2023 and these points will be allocated using the World Amateur Golf Ranking system. The qualification process will end following The R&A Girls’ and Boys’ Amateur Championships on August 20, 2023.
Boys and girls who are citizens of a European country as defined by the International Golf Federation’s Nationality Policy, under 18 years of age on January 1, 2023, and who are not enrolled to play college golf in USA during 2023 are eligible to participate in the 2023 Junior Ryder Cup.
The 2021 Junior Ryder Cup was postponed due to the pandemic, although the US team that had been selected played an exhibition match at Whistling Straits.