Flooding delays opening day at Shanty Bay Golf Club amid heavy rain warnings

Excessive snowmelt combined with heavy rain has pushed back opening day at Shanty Bay Golf and Country Club in Oro‑Medonte, Ont., on April 14, 2026 (Dave Eveleigh)

Mother Nature has already left her mark on Shanty Bay Golf and Country Club in Oro-Medonte, where opening day is being postponed due to the mass amount of snow melt and rain.

Last season, the course opened on April 21. However, this winter brought significantly more snow and rain than usual, leaving the team in a tough situation.

“We were thinking about opening late next week, but the rain is preventing us from even going onto the course,” says Dave Eveleigh, golf course manager at Shanty Bay Golf Club. “We will decide this Thursday if we can set a date.”

Environment Canada has issued yellow rainfall warnings and special weather statements for parts of central Ontario Tuesday as heavy rain continues to move through the region.

Areas including Barrie, Collingwood, Shanty Bay, Owen Sound, Hanover and Grey County could see 35 millimetres of downpour, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

The national weather agency says Bracebridge, Huntsville, Midland, Orillia and Parry Sound could receive 15 to 25 mm of rain.

Communities under a special weather statement Tuesday include Caledon, Newmarket, Orangeville and Innisfil, where 10 to 20 mm is expected.

With the ground already saturated, Environment Canada warns that water pooling on roads and localized flooding are likely.

“Don’t drive through flooded roadways. Watch for washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts,” says the national weather agency.

Meanwhile, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority warns flooding risk remains high as lake levels continue to rise following intense rain and snowmelt.

The authority says Lake Simcoe is currently at 219.23 metres, about eight centimetres above the average annual high-water level for the season.

Municipalities and shoreline property owners in low-lying areas are being advised to prepare for potential flooding, including the possible need for sandbagging.

After a break from the rain later in the afternoon, another round is expected to return Wednesday.