IMAGINE being told you have an incurable brain condition which will restrict doing the things you enjoy the most.

Then, despite knowing what you have to cope with is likely to be around for life, battling back and making sure you will get to enjoy your favourite hobby again – and on a competitive level.

That is what Stephanie Peareth is edging towards after being able to pick up her golf clubs even though she had feared her days on the fairways could be over.

Peareth, a former Darlington Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form student boasting a number of honours on the US university scene and well known on the North-East golf circuit, said: "I know the exact date, it was the day after Valentine's Day and I flew back to Miami to see my boyfriend Sebastian, but the trip was ruined by an incredibly painful migraine.

"Throughout my final semester I'd had frequent migraines, but that's all I thought it was, just a migraine. My dad used to suffer from them so I thought I had to suck it up and just get on with it.

"After moving to Miami with its hot climate and a new job, the migraines got worse but I assumed the heat and the change of lifestyle were a big part of it. It wasn't until hitting a golf ball in late July I realised it was very painful and couldn't be normal. Hitting a golf shot increased the headache and caused pain in my eyes.

"I went to get my eyes tested, thinking I needed glasses and the ophthalmologist found an uneasy line behind my left eye and referred me to a neurologist and I was diagnosed with a benign tumour and swelling of my optic nerve.

"The doctor was astonished when he found out how long I'd been fighting the pain and he was amazed I was still mobile after getting my brain pressure results back. It was difficult to deal.”

Two brain surgeries later and after being told she would struggle to do anything active, the 24-year-old has made remarkable progress. She hopes to make a competitive comeback on the golf scene, while she is the LPGA girls’ golf site director for Miami, where she lives.

"I asked the doctors to let me figure out what I could and couldn't do on my own. I took my first swing in over 16 months later in October last year and it felt amazing and was such an emotional experience,” said Peareth.

"My parents came over in November. It was a special moment to share that first game of golf with my dad in such a long time - something we thought we would never have again.

"I am adapting day by day and trying to keep as normal as possible. There are a lot of things I cannot do, but I find out my strengths along the way. I am determined to build as normal a life as possible and try to enjoy everything that I do."

Peareth has played since the age of 13 when she attended Oakleaf, Newton Aycliffe, after the influence of her grandfather, Bill, and her parents, Ann and Mark. She played for her club, Durham County Juniors and Durham County Ladies. She was crowned Scotland Under-16 Champion too.

Neil Whinham, the golf professional at Oakleaf and Whitburn, is still her coach even though she moved Stateside for a golf scholarship at Pfeiffer University, North Carolina, and then Concord University, West Virginia.

During that time she won 12 titles, two East Regional top rankings of first and second as well as graduating with a sports management degree. She has operated as the assistant professional and head professional at Miccosukee Golf and Country Club after completing her LPGA TCP qualification.

Peareth said: "I love this sport. I run, create and organise the girls’ golf programmes for Miami and this has kept me so strong and positive.

"My playing dreams had to be placed on hold in 2014 and 2015 but I plan to play again this year and take things slowly to rebuild my game. Golf is still my number one and I want to be able to play with my friends and family again and enjoy what I love.

"I aim to play in the LPGA national championship in August and it will be a special one with my dad on the bag."