CONTEST! What is the origin of the term "Putting Green(s)"?

Updated, Tuesday Oct 27th, original post below was Saturday Oct. 24th:  OK, so @h2cgolf on Twitter reports that when you look up the etymology of "Putting Green" it states: The word "Green" was a borrowed term from Lawn Bowls origin in the 1200's.  I can't actually find that specific reference but the history of the Lawn Bowling sport says that indeed the oldest recorded site still operating is in Southampton, England from 1299.  So, I I like this reference but I am still not sure we have the right origin.   Any other ideas?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Why is it called a "Putting Green"?   Why don't we call it a "Putting Lawn" or "Putting Place" or "Putting Area" or "Putting Grass"?   I went the the British Dictionary to see if would lend any clues.   Here is what I found there.

noun

1.

(on a golf course) the area of closely mown grass at the end of a fairway where the hole is

2.

an area of smooth grass with several holes for putting games

OK?  So not much help here.  The time of origin is 1840-1850 England, but why "Greens" is unclear.  I would speculate that it has to do with the fact that the "Green" was watered more and therefore "Greener", but in 1840 they were not watering Putting Greens.  So would they be greener?  

We are one of the world's largest indoor putting green companies and I need to know why we call them "greens"..... "putting greens".  We do know what they have evolved into.   The most pristine part of the golf course.   The part of the golf course where perfection in grass has taken over.   

So, just curious, does anyone really know why they are called "Putting Greens"?  If you know or have a theory, please tell me on Twitter @birdieballUSA, best explanation, over the next week ending Oct, 31st, will win one of BirdieBall's, 4' x 14', Bi-Directional, Putting Greens, a $200 value.  So, help me to understand the origin. 

Thank You!

John