Several packages are available in North Carolina for those eager for off-season deals. (Comstock Complete)

Golf's a game I happily abandoned in my 20s. Losing what seemed like a small fortune in new balls during one horrendous round was bad enough. Watching a terrible-tempered colleague wrap a five-iron around a tree, then chuck his bag into a water hazard and stomp off the course, was the final straw.

I took up curling, where 20-kilo granite rocks are difficult to lose and the hurling of brooms a rarity.

But I keep an eye out for golf bargains because some of my curling buddies are also avid golfers and eager for off-season deals. Several getaway golf packages for less than $200 US per person are available in North Carolina until Feb. 28. All include rooms, at least two rounds of golf, green fees and cart rental.

-- Maples Golf Packages, in Aberdeen, $141 US, with rounds at The Pit, Foxfire, Longleaf, Southern Pines Elks, Whispering Woods or Whispering Pines. Accommodation is in two- or three-bedroom condos. Visit maplesgolf.com or call 1-800-889-5323.

-- Dollie Llama's Cold Day Getaway, Southern Pines, $189 US, based on quad occupancy. You stay in a two-bedroom villa at Talamore Golf Resort, play one round at the Mid South Club and one round at Talamore and receive a $25 gift certificate good at the pro shops. Visit talamoregolfresort.com or call 1-800-552-6292.

-- Tobacco Road Golf & Travel Winter Special, Sanford, $169 US, based on double occupancy. Room at Comfort Inn and three rounds at either Tobacco Road, Foxfire, Hyland Golf Club, Little River, Longleaf, Southern Pines, Whispering Pines, or Whispering Woods. Upgrade to a two-bedroom condo for $30 more per person, based on quad occupancy. Visit tobaccoroadtravel.com or call 1-877-284-3762.

-- The Village Inn Winter Special, Clemmons, $84 US, which also includes breakfast daily and nightly beverage in onsite pub. Visitthevillageinn.com or call 1-336-766-9121.

More travel news

-- Rocky Mountaineer's Stay and Play Free offer gives anyone booking a rail vacation of six nights or more until March 31 a free additional hotel night in Vancouver and a day-trip adventure.

One popular option is Canadian Rockies Highlights, which includes a two-day, all-daylight rail journey between Vancouver and Banff, two nights in Vancouver and two at Canadian Rockies properties in Banff and Lake Louise. Several day-trip adventures are included, such as a glacier helicopter tour in Banff National Park and a Columbia Icefield excursion. The tour ends with an overnight in Calgary. The journey can also be done from Calgary to Vancouver.

The offer must be requested at the time of booking. It is also available for tours of four or five nights at an additional cost of $99 per person. Contact Rocky Mountaineer by phoning 1-800-665-7245, or visiting rockymountaineer.com, or see a travel agent.

-- The Fairmont Washington, D.C., will usher in spring with a Cherry Blossom Package. Available March 25 through April 15, it includes overnight accommodations for two, free valet parking and a gift. The National Cherry Blossom Festival marks the annual blooming of the thousands of cherry trees along the Tidal Basin and elsewhere in the American capital.

Rates start at $229 per night, double, based on availability. For reservations, call 1-800-441-1414 or visit Fairmont.com/washington.

-- Wildlife adventurers and photographers will have the opportunity to get close to bears and whales, during the Black & White Adventure.

Created by wilderness resort operators Churchill Wild and Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, the trip takes guests from Clayoquot Sound, in British Columbia, to Manitoba's Hudson Bay Coast. There are 13 departures in July and August, ranging from 10 to 14 nights. Rates start at $12,795 per person, double. Phone either Churchill Wild at 1-866-846-9453 or Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, 1-888-333-5405, or visit wildretreat.com orchurchillwild.com.

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