Mark Green was the last of the three Green brothers to pack up his family and move to Charlotte, N.C., to pursue his NASCAR racing career.

That was four years ago, the same move made earlier by his older brother, David, and younger brother, Jeff. All three have put down roots in the heart of NASCAR racing, where the majority of race teams have their shops.

But for one day a year at least, they return to Owensboro for the Green Brothers Celebrity Golf Tournament. Charlotte might be home now, but the family ties to Owensboro where the three grew up racing still bind them tightly to the community.

"I think the bond is pretty strong because the people make them that way," Mark Green said. "We come back, and they welcome us and pat us on the back and renew old stories.

"It's just great to come back"

On Wednesday at The Summit, 134 golfers from as far away as Las Vegas and racing fans gathered for a day on the links and a silent and live auction to raise money for charity under the umbrella of the Green Foundation, founded by Jeff and Mark this year.

The charity golf event was started eight years ago by fellow Owensboro native Michael Waltrip. The Green brothers took over the tournament four years ago.

The tournament has always been held during the week leading up to the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Planning the event gets started more than a year in advance, said Keith Howard of Valor Oil, formerly Emmick Oil, the local point man for the celebrity tournament.

Having local help is vital to the tournament's success with the principal players living so far away.

It's also a family affair. Cathy Green, Mark's wife, and Michelle Green, Jeff's wife, handle the event's logistics, making sure all the supplies are there.

The brothers' job is to round up celebrities for the event, as well as tracking down items for the auctions. The local connection is strong.

Fellow Owensboro natives Michael and Darrell Waltrip were also on hand, as was Busch Series regular Randy LaJoie and other celebrities.

"We look forward to it every year," Cathy Green said. "Michelle and I, we can't really take credit for a lot of this. Keith and Valor Oil do so much for us."

About $20,000 was distributed locally from funds raised last year, Howard said.

Local organizations, like the SpeedZeum addition to the Owensboro Area Museum of Science and History, Girls Incorporated and the Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club received funds last year, Howard said.

"We love it. It's just heart warming," Michelle Green said. "Mike (Waltrip) did the hard part. He got it going."

The Green Foundation held its first dinner in February at Charlotte. Its first contribution was $50,000 to the Victory Junction camp started by Kyle and Patty Petty.

While David Green is in the hunt for his second Busch Series title this year, future plans for Jeff Green and Mark Green aren't so certain.

Jeff Green's deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc. runs out after the Labor Day race at Darlington, S.C.

Mark Green has raced once this year, on May 16 at Nazareth, Pa., but has plans to run in more Busch events before the end of the season.

But the commitment to the Green Brothers Celebrity Golf Tournament hasn't wavered, even with the ups and downs common in the sport.

"I'm very blessed to be able to drive a race car for a living," Jeff Green said. "People work seven days a week, 24 hours a day just to make ends meet, and we're having fun doing what we're doing.

"Anytime we can give a little back, that's what it's all about."