Isleworth, Windermere, Florida
Encyclopedia
Isleworth is a private golf community in Windermere, Florida
, in Orange County
.
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. 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
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).
Late in 2007, the community became a bone of contention between Orange County
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.
Windermere, Florida
Windermere is a town in Orange County, Florida, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,897. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the town had a population of 2,019. It is expected that the 2010 census will show the town with almost 3000 people...
, in Orange County
Orange County, Florida
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 1,145,956....
.
Located outside the Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
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. 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
Arnold Palmer
Arnold Daniel Palmer is an American professional golfer, who is generally regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men's professional golf. He has won numerous events on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, dating back to 1955...
, who with developers designed an extra large golf course for wealthy members. In 1993, the Tavistock Group
Tavistock Group
Tavistock Group is an international private investment company founded by British businessperson Joe Lewis. The U.S. headquarters is located in Tavistock House in unincorporated Orange County, Florida....
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
Arnold Palmer
Arnold Daniel Palmer is an American professional golfer, who is generally regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men's professional golf. He has won numerous events on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, dating back to 1955...
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).
Late in 2007, the community became a bone of contention between Orange County
Orange County, Florida
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 1,145,956....
officials and nearby Windermere
Windermere, Florida
Windermere is a town in Orange County, Florida, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,897. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the town had a population of 2,019. It is expected that the 2010 census will show the town with almost 3000 people...
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
Rich Crotty
Richard T. Crotty was the Mayor of Orange County, Florida.- Biography :Crotty grew up in Orlando. He graduated from Valencia Community College in 1970 and Florida Technological University in 1972, and he also attended Florida State University...
quickly threatened to end county fire and sheriff services to Isleworth if annexation plans went forward.
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