History Of The APA

Co-Founders – Larry Hubbart and Terry Bell

 

 In 1979, after several years on the professional circuit and with numerous titles under his  belt, Terry “Texas Terry” Bell developed an idea for a centrally controlled nationwide  amateur pool organization. He realized how popular billiards was becoming and knew that  no organized system for recreational league play existed. So, amid much skepticism among  professional players, Bell joined forces with Larry “The Iceman” Hubbart, who was also  competing on the professional circuit. Together they founded the American Poolplayers  Association, Inc. (APA) in 1981 to act as the sanctioning body of the League. Previously  known as the American Pool League, Busch Pool League, Bud Light Pool League and the  Camel Pool League, the APA now sanctions and oversees the APA 8-Ball League and APA 9-  Ball League in the United States, the Canadian Poolplayers Association in Canada and  the Japanese Poolplayers Association in Japan.

Based on their knowledge of the game, Bell and Hubbart developed a unique handicap system, The Equalizer®, to level the playing field in the League. The Equalizer® utilizes a formula that measures a scoring ability by counting the number of turns it takes a player to win a game. The result is a handicap that determines the number of games a player must win to capture a match. After the handicap system was developed, the APA was formed as the sanctioning body of the League. In October 2010, Bell and Hubbart were inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service

 

 The APA Nationally

 Today, the APA, also known as the Canadian Poolplayers  Association in Canada and the Japanese Poolplayers Association in  Japan, has grown to more than 265,000 members and boasts more  members than all other “national” leagues combined. The League is  administered locally by a network of Franchise Operators, called League  Operators, and is conducted weekly in a variety of both 8-Ball and 9-Ball  team formats. There are nearly 300 APA Leagues throughout the U.S., Canada and Japan.
 
APA League teams have the opportunity to advance to the APA National Team Championships
each summer in Las Vegas. In 2010, Guinness World Records recognized this event as the World’s Largest Pool tournament. In addition, the APA also hosts a second tournament, the APA National Singles Championships, in Las Vegas each spring. APA pays out a combined $1.5 Million annually at these tournaments.
 
The APA also conducts the U.S. Amateur Championship, the pool world’s most prestigious amateur tournament, which is the only competition open to APA members and nonmembers alike. The tournament began in 1994 and has grown significantly over the year, as players across North America battle for a spot in this coveted event.  
 
The APA is has also been recognized as one of the top small business and home based franchise opportunities in the world. Entrepreneur Magazine has recognized the APA each year since 1999 in their Annual Franchise 500 rankings. In 2010, Forbes magazine ranked the APA as the #2 “Top 20 Franchises to Start.”   One of the keys to the success of the American Poolplayers Association is The Equalizer®, the unique handicapping and scoring system that makes it possible for players of different playing abilities — especially novices and beginners — to compete on an equal basis, much like they do in golf and bowling. The Equalizer® uses a formula that measures a player’s ability. The result is a handicap of how many games a player must win to capture a match in 8-Ball or the number of points a player must earn to win a match in the 9-Ball format.
 


 The APA Locally

The Charlotte County APA Pool League is owned by League Operator Bruce Monnier (bmonnier@apaleagues.com).
He has owned and operated this franchise of the APA since July of 2020.   

The Charlotte County APA boasts over 50 teams that compete weekly in 8-Ball & 9-Ball formats. Doubles, Masters, Ladies, and Juniors formats will be added as the league grows.  With over 400 local members and growing quickly, we are the largest and most established pool league in Charlotte County, FL.  In our league, pool players of all ages and skill levels have the opportunity to participate in a well organized and professionally managed amateur pool league.  
 
In addition to weekly league play, we also offer a variety of tournaments for our APA members. Tournaments include singles, doubles, and team events that range from local qualifying tournaments, to cash payout tournaments, and Las Vegas National qualifying tournaments. The Charlotte County APA pays out over $30,000 annually in cash, prizes, and travel assistance!  Add that to the over $2 Million paid out at the National APA Tournaments and Events and you can see why the APA is undoubtedly #1.

 
 

History of Billiards

The History of Billiards is rich and interesting. The game we know today has evolved over centuries, morphing from games popular during different periods of history. Billiards is known to have evolved from a lawn game, similar to croquet. Play was eventually moved indoors to a wooden table with green cloth, to simulate grass. The history of the “Noble Game of Billiards” is deep and vast, the table, tools for play and rules have changed century to century. Billiards enthusiasts have included, Kings, Queens, commoners, Conquistadors, church officials, Presidents, up to modern day players and professionals.

 
 
 

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