APA Recognizes Top League Operators
May 24, 2017
APA Recognizes Top League Operators
World’s Largest Pool League Presents League Operator of the Year Awards
LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO (May 23, 2017) — The American Poolplayers Association (APA) recognized five of their top franchisees with League Operator of the Year awards during the APA Annual Convention in early May in Las Vegas. The five were selected from a group of more than 270 League Operators throughout North America, with one League Operator selected from each market size.
In the Level 1 Market, John Ervin of the East Texas APA was honored for the second consecutive year. Gord & Cherylee Fessenden of the Guelph CPA in Canada were the top League Operators in the Level 2 Market. In the Level 3 Market, Skip & Joyce Lassiter of the Birmingham APA were selected. Mike & Sherie Strout of the Bay Area APA in Florida were selected in the Level 4 Market. Bruce & Ann Barthelette of the Connecticut APA were awarded League Operators of the Year in the Level 5 Market.
The APA awards a number of League Operators each year for their accomplishments in running their League area. Those selected as League Operator of the Year received $1,000 and a trophy.
(Left to Right: Matt Leckner, Gord Fessenden, John Ervin, Dennis Mersman, Bruce Barthelette, John Hensley, Mike & Sherie Strout and Skip & Joyce Lassiter)
In addition to recognizing the League Operators of the Year, the APA also awarded the Rookie and Journeyman of the Year awards. John Hensley of the Jackson County MO APA and Matt Leckner of the Tri State APA in Indiana both received Rookie of the Year Awards, while Dennis Mersman of the Central Colorado APA 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.
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 three major tournaments each year—the APA World Pool Championships, the APA Poolplayer 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 and PoolDawg.
For more information on the American Poolplayers Association, visit www.poolplayers.com.