Pillar Earns First Collegiate Medalist Honor In Playoff At Ferris State

For Ashland University's men's golf team so far in 2025-26, the kids have been all right.
 
The first tournament of the new campaign, the Malone-Glenmoor Fall Invitational, saw sophomore Shaun Mazzalupi place in a tie for fourth. To finish Ferris State's Midwest/Central Regional Preview Tournament on Tuesday (Sept. 16), another sophomore, Mark Pillar, earned individual medalist honors after topping Gannon's Rasmus Seppanen on the second playoff hole.
 
Pillar ended regulation at 74-67-71—212 to force the playoff, and had an eagle and 11 birdies for the tournament.

"The biggest reason I was able to get the job done was my performance off the tee," said Pillar. "That course isn't easy, especially off the tee box, but I consistently put myself in good positions. I also putted really well. I led the field in birdies made, and you can't do that without sinking some solid putts.

"Heading into the playoff, I felt confident, and a big part of that was the support from my team. On the second playoff hole, I made an 8-foot birdie putt to win. Having my coach and the guys there to celebrate with me made the victory even more special. It's a moment I'll never forget."
 
That effort helped Ashland as a team to finish in third place in the 19-team field at 301-282-298—881. The second-round score is the fifth-lowest for the program since 1996-97.
 
Rockhurst won the team title (278-295-291—864), and Gannon finished second (293-293-293—879).
 
Both sophomore Michael Fickle (70-74-79—223, eagle, six birdies) and Mazzalupi (79-72-72—223, eagle, six birdies) tied for 23^rd. Redshirt freshman Julian Myers tied for 48^th (78-69-81—228, seven birdies), while senior Lukas Schreck tied for 72^nd (81-79-76—236, one birdie).
 
Senior Scott Armstrong played as an individual and tied for 29^th (74-76-74—224, four birdies).
 
NEXT UP
Miami of Ohio's Virtues Intercollegiate on Sept. 29-30.