Many of the Maxim Australian Swimwear Model Search contestants in the upcoming Mount Isa heat were having a social game of golf on Sunday morning to develop friendships, and the golf began after their quick change.

Their best dressed prize category was potentially at odds with the junior sign-on day which was held at the same time. But a man at the golf club joked that there could be a boost in male competitors playing at the club next Sunday. 

The swimwear model competition will be held on Saturday, March 18 at the Rish Nightclub. The winner of the heat competes in the national finals on the Gold Coast. 

Last year’s Mount Isa heat winner was Codie-lea Lynch, while the 2015 heat winner was Josie Stokes.

Ms Stokes competes again this year and was among the golfers on Sunday morning playing the double ambrose game. She wanted to compete in the swimwear competition because she made friends from it.

“I like getting glammed up...it’s just a reason to go out with my hair down,” she said. 

“It’s making me keen to get back into gym again.” 

One of the local organisers, Jennifer Hewer, said that on the coast the competitors could be charged $150 to enter. Local business sponsorship gave the opportunities for social fun days for the competitors, she said. 

“It gives us the opportunity to take the stress off them,” Ms Hewer said. 

“It’s about showing that there’s fun in all fitness.” 

Competitor Zena Scott, who has not played golf “in a long, long time” said entering the modelling competition was about getting out of her comfort zone. 

“I had a few friends tell me to and my partner and I thought ‘f—k it, I’ll do something that isn’t for my children.”