RECREATION
honed their skills as professionals are in league with a new
generation of trick-shot experts who have turned their craft
into performance art.
UNITED THEY STAND
Under a banner of old fashioned Americana, the APA
welcomes those of any ability, background or social standing.
The APA is the world’s largest amateur pool player organization,
has more than 300,000 members, and maintains nearly
300 franchise holders in more than 8,000 locations in 46 states,
competing in eight-ball and nine-ball leagues throughout
North America and Japan.
The APA is comprised of players of all skill levels and has
roughly 2,000 members on the Treasure Coast. It is recognized
as one of the top small business and home-based
franchise opportunities in the world, earning awards from
Entrepreneur and Forbes magazines. It received a numberone
ranking in 2015 from the Franchise Business Review for
the Sports & Recreation Franchises category.
As the governing body of amateur pool, the APA sanctions
official rules, championships, formats and handicap
systems for the sport and produces three major tournaments
annually: the APA National Team Championships, the APA
National Singles Championships and the U.S. Amateur
Championship which, combined, pay out $2 Million in cash
and prizes. Local teams vie for these championship titles in
Las Vegas every summer.
Overall, Florida sends more teams to the World Championship
tournament than any other state. There are more APA
players statewide, and every county in Florida has a league.
There is no limit to physical abilities; there is even a Wheelchair
Championship for wheelchair-bound members who
play weekly in local events. And membership is growing.
TOGETHER THEY PLAY
APA league teams have the opportunity to advance to the
APA World Pool Championships. 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 Poolplayer Championships, in Las Vegas each
spring for individuals.
The APA’s U.S. Amateur Championship is the pool world’s >>
GAME F O R A L L AG E S
Last summer, the local league sponsored a 14-year-old
to the Junior National Championship in Iowa. Cole Iken
plays as a junior once a month and joins an adult team
every weekend with his parents, Carl and Traci Iken. Now 15,
Cole has become a very good pool player, learning from the
more experienced members, Howell says.
Cole garnered a 13th place national standing in a field of
over 500. “It felt good to know that I was one of the top players
in the country,” he says. Three days of play at varied skill levels
leading to semi-finals with double elimination meant shooting
two games a day, ending with match play. Cole had to make 55
balls to win the final game in the black tier, which is the highest.
He said he did it by controlling the cue ball, making sure
that spin was set for the next shot and using English on the ball.
“We play on a Sunday team at Shooter’s,” says mom Traci.
They’ve been playing for over a decade, and the game offers
them wholesome, family fun. “As long as you are willing to
learn something new and not be so competitive,” she adds.
“Even grandparents bring in their grandchildren. I know people
through social media who see us play and say, ‘Hey, I’d like to
try that.’ It’s a great way to make friends.”
When the adult team had an opportunity to play in Las
Vegas, they met other APA players from around the nation. “It
takes a lot of practice and work; we strive to make the qualifier.
We enjoy it and don’t see it as ‘practice’ because it’s something
we love to do,” Traci says.
COOL POOL SHOOTING
Cole’s personal interest is trick shots, practicing during his
free time at home. Encouraged by his parents, he videotapes
himself on an iPad and uploads to social media. He says the
younger players are mature and work hard at their goals, supporting
each other like an extended family.
Cole began shooting pool at age 6. Managing his own social
media since he was 12, the teen has a following on Instagram
Ikendotrickshots where he posts videos of his novelty shots.
He is not eligible to compete in Las Vegas because he is under
the age of 18.
“I have known players for years, those who taught me the
basics, how to hold a stick and where to stand,” he says. “They
make me feel comfortable, like I accomplished something. You
win a game every now and then, do something for your team
… it’s really amazing.”
What do his peers think? “Friends think it’s pretty cool,” he
says. Cole’s advice to other young people: “It’s fun once you
get the hang of it; it takes a lot of practice and patience. I found
that shots will become second nature; I was able to see the
angles since I was a young kid.” E
28 Port St. Lucie Magazine
Treasure Coast American Poolplayers Association
Cole Iken, a 14-year-old athlete who balances playing pool and
baseball, earned a national ranking (13th place) last year in a field of
over 500 teen players. He practices trick shots on the side and has an
Instagram following.