'Champion' bermudagrass (C. dactylon (L.) Pers. X C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) is a relatively new ultradwarf bermudagrass cultivar used for golf putting greens in the southern states under warm to hot climates. However, documentation of Champion on fertilization rates, plant growth regulator use, and methods of thatch reduction is still lacking. The main objective is to investigate the best management practices to reduce thatch accumulation and increase root mass by using a thatch reducer (Thatch-X) along with different levels of nitrogen input interacting with a plant growth regulator, trinexapac-ethyl (Primo, TE), on a Champion bermudagrass putting green. A two year field study was initiated in June 2004 at Clemson University, South Carolina. The treatments include three rates of nitrogen, with or without trinexapac-ethyl, and with or without a granular thatch reducer (Thatch-X). Nitrogen has been applied biweekly as ammonium sulfate at annual rates of 244, 489, and 732 kg N ha-1. TE has been applied biweekly as well at 0.025 kg a.i. ha-1 (1EC) following each nitrogen application. Thatch-X was applied once per growing season in July at the label-recommended rate of 146 kg ha-1. Best turf quality consistently occurred with the 732 kg annual N rate coupled with TE while the best turf recovery from aerification and highest clipping yields occurred with the 732 kg annual N rate without TE. Overall root mass was not affected by treatments. Thatch mass was significantly lower at the lowest N rate of 244 kg ha-1 annually followed by 489 and 732 kg N ha-1. Differences were not found in thatch mass among TE or Thatch-X treatments. Bermudagrass spring transition was significantly reduced under the highest N rate of 732 kg ha-1. In addition, the treatments with the highest N rate of 732 kg ha-1 significantly increased the occurrence of spring dead spot.