About the APA

The APA is the world’s largest amateur pool league with more than 250,000 members competing in 8-Ball and 9-Ball Leagues throughout North America. Click here for more information about the history of the APA.
 
History Of The APA

The American Poolplayers Association was founded in 1979 by professional poolplayers Terry Bell and Larry Hubbart. 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.


The APA Nationally

Today 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 locally by a network of Franchise Operators. These League Operators conduct weekly leagues in both 8-Ball and 9-Ball team formats. The APA currently has franchise opportunities available in other states for those who wish to be their own boss, and promote the sport of pool.

APA leagues play across the United States, Canada and in China. 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 $1.5 Million in national tournament prize money. This consists of the APA National Team Championship, the $200,000 APA 8-Ball Classic, the $100,000 APA 9-Ball Shootout, and finally the MiniMania Tournaments, that paid out over $200,000 during the 2006 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.


APA Of South Charlotte
 
APA Of South Charlotte has over 200 teams and more than 1,500 active members competing weekly in Mecklenburg & Union counties. We offer both amateur standard 8-Ball & 9-Ball formats and a Ladies Divisions using the APA's Equalizer Handicap System where everyone has an equal chance to win.  In addition, we offer a Masters division for the higher-skilled players to compete without handicaps.

Standard teams consist of 5-8 players with a low weekly fee of $45 per team or $9/player plus a $30 annual membership fee. These teams compete in local divisions where the APA Host Locations are grouped geographically to minimize traveling distance. The year is divided into 3 sessions, with each session running 13-15 weeks and 1 week of playoffs. Teams may play any day, Sunday through Friday in most areas, so it's easy to fit the APA into your schedule.

The local South Charlotte APA league currently offers a $112,000 Player's Fund.  This fund is used for Travel Assistance for the teams that qualify for the World Championships in Las Vegas, as well as awards players can win such as plaques, patches, trophies, and other prizes and recognitions. A World Qualifier is held once a year in June where qualified teams compete for the right to represent the Charlotte area in Las Vegas at the APA National Team Championships.