Courtesy: Eaglemont, Mt. Vernon, WA

The 49th parallel is the longest, undefended border in the world for a reason: Canadians and Americans like each other.

The openness of our border has posed some problems since 9/11 and a new security law passed by Congress will not permit the kind of free and easy crossing that both peoples have enjoyed for well over a hundred years.

But it won't slam the border shut and it won't keep Canadian golfers from slipping across to take advantage of some great golf in the U.S.

Out here in the east, Canadian golfers are familiar with some great deals offered in South Carolina where Canadian money is accepted on par.

For a Canadian golfer, depending on how our buck is faring against the Greenback, that can be a big deal.

Golfers in Vancouver have unfettered access to a number of fine courses just over the border in Washington State.

Let's start with Homestead Farms. Don't let the name fool you. It was once a dairy farm but now it is all golf. Golf Digest has given it four stars as one of its "Places to Play".

Homestead Farms is located 20 minutes north of Bellingham, Washington. It has wide, forgiving fairways that should meet with the approval of golf course architects like Ian Andrew!

It's tailored for the recreational golfer but does feature a treacherous sounding par 5 finishing hole. And at just over 6900 yards, it should be long enough for most of us.

Homestead offers a variety of accommodation on the course ranging from the Cabana condos, to the Great Links Lodge to the Homestead Hotel, all featuring the latest amenities including flat screen TVs.

For the Canadian golfer visiting, here's the deal: pay your green fees in cash and you can use Canadian dollars at par, 7 days a week, any time of day.

Homestead has year round golf and green fees vary as to the time of year but the most you'll pay is $60 on the weekend in mid-summer. And, if you're from up north, that's $60 Canadian!

Avalon Golf Links is a little further to the south and east of Homestead, below Bellingham.

Avalon boasts 27 holes which allows you to mix and match 9s. The course architect was Robert Muir Graves who has a reputation for designing tough layouts. The Canadian Golf Directory says Avalon is no exception, so you may want to bring your 'A' game.

Wednesdays, Canucks pay in loonies all year. Right now, their website is quoting green fees for February and March only with the highest being $29US. Or, on Wednesdays, $29 Canadian!

See how the deals work? Great fun when you're a tourist from the North.

Finally, there's Eaglemont, just east of Mount Vernon, Washington.

Eaglemont was designed by John Steidel and their website describes the course as "scenic and challenging". Note "challenging".

The scenery comes in the form of views of Mount Baker and the surrounding Skagit Valley. Read "breathtaking".

This is another layout that's open year round and even after a heavy winter rain, Eaglemont says the fairways are firm enough for carts.

Oh and Canadians play for a flat fee of $39 US, power cart included, anytime Monday to Thursday.

All three of these courses are within an hour or so of Vancouver, British Columbia and all three make great offers to Canadian golfers.

Three more reasons to keep the longest, undefended border the longest, undefended border!