"We're happy to have Allison as part of our team.  We believe that the excitement and entertainment of amateur pool, combined with Allison's popularity and success, will encourage even more people to try the sport," said Poehlman.

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.  More than 215,000 members compete in weekly 8-Ball and 9­Ball league play.

Michelob AmberBock is the official beer of the APA and sponsor of the APA8-Ball League and 8-Ball National Team Championships.  The Diamond SmartTable, Simonis 860 billiard cloth, Super Aramith billiard balls and theSardo Tight Rack are also official billiard industry sponsors of the APA andAPA National Championships.

The APA is generally recognized as the Governing Body of Amateur Pool,having established the official rules, championships, formats and handicapsystems for the sport of amateur billiards.  o­ne of the keys to the successof the APA league, administered by local League Operators, is TheEqualizer*, the handicap and scoring system that makes it possible for menand women of different playing abilities-especially beginners-to compete o­nan equal basis, much like they do in golf and bowling.

The APA produces three major tournaments each year-the APA National TeamChampionships, the APA National Singles Championships and the U.S. AmateurChampionship-that, together, pay out more than $1 Million in cash and prizesannually!

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