Isleworth, Florida facts for kids

Isleworth is a special community located near Windermere, Florida in Orange County, Florida. It's close to downtown Orlando and sits among the beautiful Butler chain of lakes. Many people see Isleworth as a place where large, fancy homes are built.

The Story of Isleworth

Isleworth has an interesting history that goes back to the Chase family. They were citrus grove owners from Philadelphia who bought land here after the U.S. Civil War. Sidney and Joshua Chase called their property the "Isle of Worth." They thought it was very valuable because their citrus trees could handle cold weather better than others.

In 1984, the Chase family sold their land to famous golfer Arnold Palmer. He worked with others to design a very large golf course for people who enjoy luxury. Later, in 1993, a company called the Tavistock Group bought the golf course and the land around it. They started building the big, beautiful houses that Isleworth is known for today.

Isleworth's Golf Course

Isleworth is home to a championship 18-hole golf course. It was first designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. Later, Steve Smyers updated and changed its design. The Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) often says this course is the longest and toughest in Florida. It's a key part of the community, much like another Tavistock development, Lake Nona, on the other side of Orlando.

Local Government and Isleworth

In late 2007, Isleworth became part of a discussion between officials from Orange County and the nearby town of Windermere. Windermere wanted to take over Isleworth and make it part of their town. At that time, the properties in Isleworth were worth about $800 million. This meant they paid about $3.5 million in taxes to Orange County. Windermere wanted to receive those tax payments instead.

The mayor of Orange County, Rich Crotty, quickly said that if Windermere took over Isleworth, the county would stop providing fire and sheriff services there. This showed how important Isleworth's tax money was to Orange County.

Golf Tournaments

Starting in December 2014, Isleworth became the new home for the Hero World Challenge. This is a well-known golf tournament that brings top players to the community.

Notable people

• Bubba Watson - Professional golfer