World’s Largest Pool League Presents League Operator of the Year Awards
The American Poolplayers Association (APA) recognized their top franchisees with League Operator of the Year awards during its Annual League Operator Convention in late April. The five winners were selected from a group of nearly 300 APA League Operators throughout North America, with one League Operator selected from each market size.
In the Level 1 Market, Rob Ahne of the Southern Illinois APA was selected as League Operator of the Year. Ewa and Mitch Laurance, and their partners, Nikki and Toby Graham, of the Coastal Carolina APA were the top League Operators in the Level 2 Market. In the Level 3 Market, Skip & Joyce Lassiter of the Birmingham APA were selected League Operators of the Year for the third consecutive year. Rob and Jennifer Miller, and their partner, Dan Simning, of the River Valley APA in Pennsylvania were selected in the Level 4 Market. Matt Gillespie of the Central Indiana APA was awarded League Operator of the Year in the Level 5 Market.
APA recognizes a number of League Operators each year for their accomplishments in running their League area. Those selected as League Operator of the Year receive $1,000 and a trophy.
In addition to recognizing the League Operators of the Year, APA also awarded the Rookie and Journeyman of the Year awards. Ashley and Kevin Morgan of the Lake and Osceola APA in Florida won the Rookie of the Year Award, while Don Ward of the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill APA in North Carolina was selected for the Journeyman of the Year Award. The Journeyman of the Year is presented to the top League Operator who is no longer a rookie, but not yet eligible to receive the League Operator of the Year award.
APA President Terry Bell also named long-time League Operators Bruce and Ann Barthelette of the Connecticut APA as winners of the APA Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually for outstanding career achievements over 20 years or more.
The three-day conference, held at the Westgate Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, concluded with a formal reception where the winners were announced. This year’s event also served as a celebration of APA’s 40th Anniversary.
The APA, based in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., sanctions the world’s largest amateur pool league, known as the APA Pool League throughout the United States, and as the Canadian Pool League in Canada. Nearly 250,000 members compete in weekly 8-Ball and 9‑Ball League play. The APA is generally recognized as the Governing Body of Amateur Pool, having established the official rules, championships, formats and handicap systems for the sport of amateur billiards.
The APA produces four major tournaments each year—the APA World Pool Championships, the APA Poolplayer Championships, the APA Junior Championships and the U.S. Amateur Championship—that, together, pay out nearly $2 Million in cash and prizes annually!
The APA and its championships are sponsored by Aramith, Action Cues, PoolDawg and Valley-Dynamo.
For more information on becoming an APA League Operator, visit https://poolplayers.com/franchise/.
