The 18-year-old, who has a long history of medical issues, has been recruited to play college golf in the US.

A Ballarat and Buninyong golf club member, Staples believes this is the first big step in realising his dream of becoming a professional.

Staples was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumour at the age of six and has battled various stages of paralysis. He has endured multiple surgeries and various chemotherapy regimes, as well as procedures to combat kyphosis and scoliosis.

The 18-year-old has dealt with his health problems, while managing to hone his golf game to a current handicap of two.

“Sometimes it’s bad, but most of the time I’m not thinking about the pain,” Staples said.

Staples, who took up golf at the age of three after learning the game from his father Paul, said he was “very” excited for the adventure.

“It’s the goal, dream and I’ve now got a chance to make it happen,” he said.

Staples’ mother Samantha said her son’s schooling had suffered due to the medical issues, but the prospect of playing college golf had driven him to pursue a year-12 qualification through a course at Federation University.

“Daniel lives for golf, one day at a time,” she said.

Staples joins fellow Ballarat golfers Matt Ryan, Corey Haase and Bailey Holloway to have been offered golf scholarships in the US.