The 2023 Junior Ryder Cup is set to kick off this week in Rome, Italy, from Tuesday September 26th to Thursday September 28th. The tournament will take place at two prestigious golf courses, namely Golf Nazionale and Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
One notable change to the format of the Junior Ryder Cup is that it will now span three days instead of two. This adjustment will allow for more exciting and competitive matches to take place. Additionally, for the first time, Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, which will also host the main Ryder Cup in 2023, will host the decisive singles matches. These matches will be broadcasted live on television, providing fans with the opportunity to watch the rising stars of golf in action.
The first two days of the competition will be held at Golf Nazionale. This course, located near the city of Rome, is renowned as one of the best golf courses in continental Europe. Its challenging layout follows the natural undulations of the hilly landscape. Players will face deep rough, undulated greens, water features, and strategically placed bunkers. The course’s sharp elevation changes also offer breathtaking views of the Lazio countryside. Golf Nazionale previously hosted the Italian Challenge Open earlier this year and has a rich history of hosting prestigious events, including the World Cup of Golf in 1991.
On the final day of the Junior Ryder Cup, the action will shift to Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. This course has recently undergone extensive renovations to prepare for the main Ryder Cup event in 2023. The redesign focused on creating a course specifically tailored for match play. The back nine was completed and reopened in October 2020, and the full 18 holes were officially completed in March 2021. The clubhouse and practice ground have also been updated to provide a world-class experience for players and spectators alike. Marco Simone Golf & Country Club was initially established in the 1980s by fashion designer Laura Biagiotti and her husband Gianni Cigna.
The European Junior Ryder Cup team, led by captain Stephen Gallacher, will feature six boys and six girls. The team includes the top three boys and girls from the automatic qualifiers, as well as six additional selections made by Gallacher. The US Team, which has dominated the Junior Ryder Cup in recent years, will also field a strong contingent of six boys and six girls. The team includes standout junior players who have excelled in national championships.
The Junior Ryder Cup serves as a platform to showcase the future talent of golf and allows these young players to experience the excitement and pressure of a team competition. It is expected to be a thrilling event, providing a preview of the talent that will be on display during the main Ryder Cup in 2023. Golf fans around the world will be eagerly watching as these promising young players compete for their respective teams.