Nathan Losey’s Disc Golf Mission
~ posted by John Kelly
In Hilton, NY, 17-year-old Nathan Losey has become well known in the Rochester disc golf scene by all, and not just for his 400+ throws and deadly spin putt, but for wading into muddy, freezing ponds to recover lost discs. With a wetsuit and a strong sense of service, Nathan has made it his mission to help others get their discs back, no matter how bad the water smells or how cold the weather gets.
As a small token of appreciation, in 2024, the Disc Golf Roc community stepped up to support Nathan with a fundraiser to help him replace his old, worn wetsuit. The donations poured in.
His father, Richard Losey, was a driving force in supporting Nathan’s effort (both figuratively and literally since Nathan didn’t drive yet) and continues to help coordinate disc returns and transportation to courses around the area. Nathan has his own wheels now, and dad can finally relax a little.
One of Nathan’s disc dives took place at the Chili disc golf course, where the water was so smelly that his dad wouldn’t let him back into the truck until he completely changed out into his clothes. Even the discs reeked. But Nathan cleaned them all and reached out to their owners, just like he always does.
In June of 2025 at Williamson Town Park, Nathan, with the help of Mike Wiltsie, pulled out over 250 discs! A post about this was published on Facebook, and it went viral. Over 572,000 people saw this post. As a matter of fact, the owner of Trash Panda Discs was so impressed, he sent Nathan a box of swag and goodies as a token of their appreciation. The only downside of that Facebook post was the reality of how stupid and cruel people can be with their ignorant, trolling comments. But Nathan can rest assured, these were NOT people in our local community.
As for returns, Nathan gives players the option to pick up their discs either in Hilton (west side) or Penfield (east side), at the home of John Kelly near Shadow Pines. His honesty, grit, and humility have made him one of the most appreciated young people in the local disc golf community.
Reflections on Character and Community Impact
What sets Nathan apart isn’t just his work ethic, it’s his deep sense of service, integrity, and humility infused from his parents. In a sport built on respect and community, his family represents the very best of what disc golf can be.
Nathan’s willingness to brave freezing ponds and contact strangers to return their gear speaks volumes about his character. He’s not doing it for recognition or reward, he’s doing it because it’s the right thing to do. It’s clear that his mother and father have instilled in him those values every step of the way. Moral fortitude just seems to be so rare these days.
As Disc Golf Roc continues to grow, Nathan’s story is a reminder that greatness isn’t always about the longest throw or the lowest score; it’s about showing up for others, even when it means wading into the muck. Rain or shine, ice or snow, you might spot Nathan chest-deep in a pond—doing what he loves, and helping others along the way.
I wrote this post out of the deepest respect for Nathan, but I’m only one person. From the hundreds of people in and around the Rochester area, I can safely say we all appreciate and thank you, Nathan.