Clint Cornell couldn't close out Tom Jenkins in Wednesday's quarterfinals of the 30th Minnesota Golf Association Players' Championship.
Through the first 15 holes at Northland Country Club, Cornell of Grand Rapids was either tied with or leading Jenkins, the defending Players' champion.
Jenkins parred No. 16 to take his first lead at 1-up. Cornell led for seven holes, with his biggest lead at 2-up after No. 8.
After both players parred No. 17, Jenkins parred 18, giving him a 2-up win in the amateur match-play tournament.
Today's semifinal matchups are Jenkins vs. Robbie Kelly at 7 a.m. and Sammy Schmitz vs. Trent Peterson at 7:10 a.m.
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Cornell, who plays out of Bemidji Town and Country Club, beat Matt Witham by forfeit in the third round.
Entering the tournament, Cornell, who just concluded his senior season at Bemidji State, was seeded No. 9, with Jenkins, who plays out of Sundance Golf Course in Maple Grove, Minn., at No. 1.
Duluthian Ray Peterson, seeded 43rd in the 64-player field, lost to Trent Peterson 6 and 5 in the third round. Trent Peterson birdied five of six holes from Nos. 6-11 to knock out Peterson.
The five other area golfers in the event -- Kevin Noreen, John Treacy, Scott Anderson, Reed Kolquist and Matt Schneider -- each lost Tuesday.
