History Of The APAThe American Poolplayers Association was founded in 1979 by professional poolplayers Terry Bell and Larry Hubbart (pictured left). The two men realized the popularity of the sport and knew that, unlike other sports, there was no existing recreational league system. Back then the league was called the National Pool League. The name was changed to American Poolplayers Association (APA) in 1981.
Over the years, the APA Pool League has gone by many names, including The American Pool League, Busch Pool League, and Bud Light Pool League. Terry Bell and Larry Hubbart maintain positions on the APA's Board of Directors, and strive to create continued interest and growth in the sport of pool.
Renee Poehlman, (pictured right), has held the position of APA President since April of 1995. As President, she has total responsibility for overseeing the daily operations and future growth of the League. She was appointed to her position by former APA President Terry Bell, when he stepped down to assume a position on the Board Of Directors.
The APA NationallyToday the APA has grown to over 250,000 members. The league boasts more members than all other "national" leagues combined. APA Pool Leagues are administered Local League Operators. These League Operators conduct weekly leagues in both 8-Ball and 9-Ball team formats.
APA leagues play across the United States and in Canada. Teams compete weekly in 8-Ball and 9-Ball leagues with all teams having the opportunity to advance to the APA's National Team Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada.
At the national level, the APA guarantees more than $1 Million in national tournament prize money. This consists of the APA National Team Championship, the $200,000 APA 8-Ball Classic (singles), the $100,000 APA 9-Ball Shootout (singles), and finally the MiniMania Tournaments, that paid out over $200,000 during the 2005 National Team Championships.
The APA also conducts the U.S. Amateur Championship, the world's most prestigious amateur tournament. It is the only tournament conducted by the APA that is open to members and non-members alike.
The APA in ChicagoMost of Chicagoland was once under Robb and Mary Guzzo's leadership. Over the past few years, they have sold off portions of the area, so that there are about 10 League Operators covering the same general territory. The Chicago APA starts at the lake shore, and moves west to Harlem Ave. It is bounded by Howard on the North, and 290 on the South. We have grown steadily over the past 4 years, starting out at 90 teams in 2002, and topping 180 this year in the spring session. We have almost 1000 active members competing weekly. We offer both 8-Ball & 9-Ball Leagues using the APA's Equalizer Handicap System giving players at all skill levels an equal chance to win.
Teams consist of 5-8 players with a low weekly fee of $30 per team or $6/player plus a $20 annual membership fee. These teams compete in local divisions. Where possible, the APA Hosting Taverns are grouped geographically to minimize traveling distance. The year is divided into 3 sessions, with each session running between 14 and 18 weeks. Teams may play any day, Monday through Thursday, in most areas, and Sunday at Pressure Billiards. Hopefully, that makes it easy to fit the APA into your schdeule.
The payoff for most teams in the Chicago APA is an enjoyable and competitive night of pool once a week. For those players who are either good enough, or lucky enough, a trip to Vegas is the payoff.
There are a number of ways to win a trip. Currently, we send four 8-ball teams, and one 9-ball team to Vegas to compete in the National Team Championships. At that tournament, they have the chance at a grand prize of $25,000, and all teams get part of the $1 million awarded yearly. We also give two trips to Vegas based on luck of the draw. These two trips are for teams that don't make the playoffs. (Every session that you participate, but don't make the playoffs, you get one entry into this tournament. Players on these teams are eligible to enter any of the "Mini Mania" tournaments in Vegas, but not the National Team Championships. (Mini doesn't really cover it. Players in the minis walk away with almost $200,000 each year.)
There is a Singles program that allows players to get to Vegas as well. Qualifiers run from January through November. One in every 8 players wins a qualified slot at the regionals. At the regional, one in 16 wins a trip to Vegas. At the regionals and in Vegas, players only play against others of similar skill levels. There are three "tiers": high, medium, and low skill levels. Each tier has a top winner who walks away with $15,000, and additional cash payouts depending on where you finish. There is a total of $300,000 that is split up between the players at the event.
You can also win a trip to Vegas through the MVP/Top Gun Tournament, Team MVP Tournament, or just by winning a Break and Run, 8 on the Break, or Rackless patch or pin.
