History Of The APA

The 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 maintains a position on the APA's Board of Directors, and strive to create continued interest and growth in the sport of pool. Greg Fletcher, (pictured right), has held the position of APA President since January of 2020. As President, he has total responsibility for overseeing the daily operations and future growth of the League. 

 The APA Nationally

 Today, the APA, also known as the Canadian Poolplayers  Association in Canada, the Japanese Poolplayers Association in  Japan, and the APA of Singapore in Singapore, has grown to nearly 250,000 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, Japan and Singapore.
 
APA League teams have the opportunity to advance to the APA World Pool 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 Poolplayers Championship, in Las Vegas each spring. APA pays out a combined $2 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 San Francisco, CA (Golden Gate) APA Pool League is owned by Dan Sorge, League Operator.  He has owned and operated this franchise of the APA since November 2023.  

Prior to owning the Leageue, Dan played and captained teams for 12 years. 

Golden Gate APA has over 40 teams that compete weekly in 8-Ball, and 9-Ball formats.  We offer pool players, of all ages and skill levels, across the area the opportunity 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 both singles, doubles, and team tournaments that range from local qualifying tournaments, to cash payout tournaments, and Vegas Qualifying tournaments. Over $2 Million paid out at 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.