Isleworth is a community outside Windermere, Florida, in

Orange County Orange County most commonly refers to: *Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area Orange County may also refer to: U.S. counties *Orange County, Florida, containing Orlando *Orange County, Indiana *Orange County, New ...

. Located outside the Orlando city limits, the community is desirable for its proximity to the city's downtown, its location within the Butler chain of lakes, and as a local status symbol of wealth and grandeur. Isleworth traces its roots to the Chase family, a group of citrus grove owners from Philadelphia who purchased land in the area after the

U.S. Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. Sidney and Joshua Chase referred to their property as the "Isle of Worth," because its citrus trees seemed naturally resistant to periodic cold snaps. In 1984, Chase descendants sold their lands to Arnold Palmer, who with developers designed an extra large golf course for wealthy members. In 1993, the

Tavistock Group Tavistock Group is a Bahamas-based private investment organization founded by Joseph "Joe" Lewis in 1975. Lewis is the primary investor in the company. The company is headquartered in the offshore financial center of The Commonwealth of The Ba ...

purchased the golf course and surrounding area and began developing the large, expensive and magnificent mansions that are a hallmark of the community. Isleworth is home to a championship 18-hole golf course originally designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, later re-designed and modified by Steve Smyers. The course consistently ranks as the longest and toughest course in the state by the Florida State Golf Association (FSGA). It complements another Tavistock development on the other side of Orlando,

Lake Nona Lake Nona is a 17-square-mile master-planned community in Orlando, Florida recognized as a model for “How to build a great American City”. The community is known for focused initiatives on community, technology, mobility, and wellbeing. It is ...

. Late in 2007, the community became a bone of contention between

officials and nearby Windermere when the city announced plans to annex Isleworth. With property tax rolls totaling $800 million that year, it generated $3.5 million in tax revenues for the county that the city was anxious to redirect to its own coffers. Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty quickly threatened to end county fire and sheriff services to Isleworth if annexation plans went forward."Isleworth's tax revenue spurs face-off," by David Damron, '' Orlando Sentinel'', 19 December 2007. Beginning in December 2014, Isleworth will become the new location of the Hero World Challenge.

Notable people

Bubba Watson Gerry Lester "Bubba" Watson Jr. (born November 5, 1978) is an American professional golfer. He has played predominantly on the PGA Tour, and is a multiple major champion, with victories at the Masters Tournament in 2012 and 2014. In February 201 ...

- Professional golfer

References

{{authority control Unincorporated communities in Orange County, Florida Unincorporated communities in Florida