ROUSES POINT -- Often, an abundance of snow is referred to as a poor man's fertilizer.

One business sector that has had way too much fertilizer is area golf courses.

This snowy spring has delayed opening day of courses on an average of two weeks. However, recent sunny weather has course managers optimistic.

Dustin Beauregard, of North Country Golf, said that there isn't a way to make up the days that Mother Nature has robbed.

"All we can do is hope for a really nice May and June to make up for lost rounds in April," Beauregard said.

"The only way to catch up is to have fantastic weather, no rainouts and above average temperatures," General Manager Derek Sprague of the Malone Golf Club said.

Barracks Golf Course Manager, David Vivian, said that 12 months make a big difference.

"Last year, it wasn't snow, it was rain," Vivian recalled.

Beauregard said that honestly, only one thing could help -- time.

"The main thing is that we have to let the course dry out so we can go out and pick up broken limbs, and any debris that accumulated during the winter," he said.

Vivian pointed out that the entertainment and exercise aspects for the golfers aren't the only things being lost.

"Financially, it's not helping any of the courses to be missing sunny and warm days. It's just one of those things. It's all part of business."