LOCAL MAN FIFTH AT MR. OLYMPIA.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Local body builder Gunter Schlierkamp has muscled his way to the top of his profession.

The longtime Santa Clarita Valley resident placed fifth last week at the Mr. Olympia competition in Las Vegas - kind of the Super Bowl of body building - and he promises to continue training at the Santa Clarita Athletic Club in Newhall.

``I'm in heaven, just very excited,'' said Schlierkamp, a German native who settled in Castaic 5 1/2 years ago. ``I want into the show hoping maybe to qualify for the top 10, but the crowd was just really behind me and wanted me to succeed. It's just an unbelievable feeling having 6,000 people standing up and cheering for you. It still hasn't sunk in yet.''

Nicknamed the Gentle Giant, Schlierkamp is 6-foot-1 and 300 pounds with a 58-inch chest and 23-inch biceps. He won six consecutive Grand Prix amateur shows in Europe before turning pro after winning the heavyweight division at the 1993 Amateur World Championships in Seoul, South Korea.

Since then, Schlierkamp has continued to prove himself among the world's best. But none of his accomplishments have compared to his top-five finish at Mr. Olympia.

He earned $30,000 in prize money at the event.

``I need it, too,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Schlierkamp said he'll continue training at the Santa Clarita Athletic Club, though he openly wonders whether his latest achievement will give the club enough publicity to warrant him a free membership: ``But it's OK,'' he said with a smile. ``They still treat me pretty good.''

As for advice for body-builder hopefuls, Schlierkamp said there are no shortcuts.

``It just takes a lot of discipline, a lot of dedication and a lot of hard work,'' he said.

Of course, Schlierkamp follows a strict diet. But he said he's feeling so good this week he promises to give himself a little treat.

``I try to stay away from sugar and certain foods,'' he said. ``But now that the competition has ended, I think I'll have some apple-crumb cheesecake with caramel. That's my favorite, but I only get to eat it right after a competition.''

--Golf course makes hire: PGA Masters professional Perry Dickey has been named general manager and director of golf for the Tournament Players Club golf course in Valencia, which is scheduled to open in Summer 2003.

Dickey has 18 years of experience as a general manager. The Tournament Players Club will be the PGA tour's 23rd club.

``We are extremely pleased to have someone of Perry Dickey's background and accomplishments lead our operations at the TPC at Valencia,'' said Pete Davison, senior vice president and chief operations officer for the PGA tour's network of tournament players clubs. ``His knowledge and experience in club management and the golf industry in California will be instrumental in creating the success that we envision at the club.''

The Tournament Players Club is the newest premier golf community in Southern California. The course was co-designed by PGA standout Mark O'Meara. The facility has limited membership opportunities available. For information, call [phone].

--S.C. Marathon set: The eighth annual Santa Clarita Marathon will be Nov. 3 starting at Lang Station in Canyon Country.

The route will follow local streets, trails and paseos as it crosses through Saugus, Newhall, Valencia, and Canyon Country. Organizers expect more than 2,000 participants. Runners can participate in one of four events: the full 26.2-mile marathon, a half-marathon, a 5-kilometer run and the Kiddie K, a 1-kilometer race. Special Olympics runners will kick off the race.

The marathon, a qualifier race for the Boston Marathon, allows for spectator viewing at two locations. The best viewing is available at the Metrolink Station on Soledad Canyon Road.

The race will end at Newhall Park, 24933 Newhall Ave. Festivities there will include a pancake breakfast organized by the Rotary Club, arts and crafts, caricature artists, food booths, musical entertainment provided by Skinny Little Twits and an awards ceremony.

Information: [phone] or online at www.scmarathon.org.