Pam Mackay makes early exit at Nairn

Second seed Pam Mackay (Royal Dornoch) was beaten in the first round of the match-play stages of the Northern Counties women's championship at sunny Nairn Golf Club today.
She went down by 3 and 2 to Marian Howieson (Inverness), the No 2 qualifier.
Defending champion Cara Gruber came back from three down after 11 holes to win the last four and beat Susan McVicar (Gairloch) by two holes.
Top seed Eileen Mason (Thurso) continued in good form with an 8 and 7 win over the No 16 qualifier Sheila MacDonnell (Inverness).
Results:
FIRST ROUND
E Manson (Thurso) bt S MacDonnell (Inverness) 8 and 7.
M Vass (Tain) bt L Coghill (Royal Dornoch) 3 and 2.
C Gruber (Royal Dorncoh) bt S McVicar (Gairloch) 2 holes.
J Vass Tain) bt J Nico0l (Inverness) 6 and 5.
C McAndrew (Nairn Dunbar) bt G Dowling (Inverness) at 19th.
J Milne (Elgin) bt J Louden (Nairn) 2 holes.
A Bartlett (Royal Dornoch) bt S Vass (Tain) 3 and 2.
M Howieson (Inverness) t P Mackay (Royal Dornoch 3 and 2.
QUARTER-FINALS
Manson v M Vass.
Gruber v J Vass.
McAndrew v Milne.
Bartlett v Howieson