For nearly a year, senior golfer Carley Rudolf battled a mysterious illness that left the best medical minds in the dust. Constant, crushing pain plagued her every move, yet no doctor could unravel the enigma. One suggested a yeast infection, another leaned toward endometriosis and yet another treated her for a urinary tract infection. Despite undergoing both an ultrasound and a CT scan, the agony intensified, and her hope dwindled.

The pain was so fierce at times that Carley would double over, paralyzed and unable to walk. Advil became her unrelenting companion as she fought to manage the relentless discomfort. “The pain was unbearable,” Carley recalls, her voice tinged with memories of desperation. “When it hit, I couldn’t walk, couldn’t function. It consumed my life.”

Once a talented and competitive golfer, Carley found her beloved sport slipping away. Golf had always been a sanctuary, a space where she felt at peace and focused, but now she couldn’t even play a round without the cruel pain intruding.

A Champion in the Making

From a young age, Carley was an athlete, brimming with energy and a fearless spirit. Her mother, Christy Rudolf, remembers how Carley explored every sport, from soccer to skateboarding, always striving for excellence.

At 11, during a trip to the driving range with her grandparents, something resonated within her. Carley discovered golf—a sport that embraced skill, focus, and strategy, perfectly aligning with her determined nature.

“I was hooked,” Carley recalls warmly. “It just felt right.”

Her unwavering dedication quickly bore fruit. As a freshman in high school, Carley clinched her first state championship, followed by another title as a junior. Passionate about her sport, she aimed to play at Virginia Tech but faced rejection from the coaches. Undeterred, she enrolled at the university, continuing to compete and refine her game.

However, in January 2021, the pain emerged as Carley transferred to Old Dominion University in Norfolk. For months, she grappled with debilitating discomfort, while doctors struggled to diagnose her. When the truth finally surfaced, it was devastating—her cancer had advanced to her liver.

Carley and her family embarked on a desperate quest for answers. After experiencing misdiagnoses and unsuccessful treatments, Carley’s uncle—a dedicated anesthesiologist—took proactive measures. He contacted the esteemed Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and within days, Carley found herself on a plane to consult with a specialist.

That decisive step proved vital. Dr. Emeline M. Aviki, a gynecological oncologist, assessed Carley’s scans and immediately called for surgery. “We need to get her here as soon as possible,” she told Carley’s family.

The surgery, a seven-hour ordeal, was intense and complex. Yet, in the end, Carley’s exceptional medical team succeeded in removing all visible cancer. They also recommended fertility preservation, allowing Carley to undergo a procedure to harvest her eggs, safeguarding her future hopes of motherhood amidst the challenges ahead.

After countless frustrating doctor visits and endless questioning, Carley’s moment of clarity came while in an emergency room. An MRI revealed a potential source of her suffering: a cyst on her ovary. Her doctors were optimistic—“A straightforward surgery, and you’ll feel like yourself again,” they assured her. But when Carley awoke, the news was anything but hopeful. The cyst wasn’t benign. She had stage-three ovarian cancer.

In an instant, her world which had once revolved around golf shifted toward a fight for survival. The prognosis was grim: the doctors explained that her cancer might be incurable, leaving her with only a 50 percent chance of surviving the next five years.

That diagnosis was a gut punch, but Carley was not ready to back down. She faced a relentless onslaught of more surgeries, chemotherapy sessions and indescribable pain, yet her spirit remained unbroken. Fueled by the unwavering support of her family and a fierce sense of faith, Carley began to fight back—and against all odds, she emerged victorious.

By the end of 2022, she received extraordinary news: she was cancer-free. However, her journey was far from over. Carley still had a dream lingering on the horizon—one that had been sidelined during her arduous battle for survival: playing college golf. With renewed strength and determination, she was ready to chase that dream once more.

The Road to Recovery

The physical and emotional toll of surgeries and chemotherapy was immense, yet Carley persevered. She remained focused on her ultimate goal of playing collegiate golf. Following her surgery in May 2023, Carley took the first steps toward recovery. Just months later, she reached out to the Old Dominion Women’s Golf coach, Mallory Kane, seeking a chance to walk onto the team.

“I knew who Carley was,” Coach Kane recalls. “One of the best players from Virginia Beach, her journey reached me. When we met, I was inspired by her poise, maturity and passion for the game.”

Determined to prove herself, Carley worked tirelessly to regain her form. By the end of her first season, she secured a spot on the team and earned a scholarship. Last season, she finished second on the team with an impressive stroke average of 75.03, all while managing the lingering side effects of chemotherapy.

“I’m so proud of her,” Coach Kane adds. “Carley is a fighter. She’s overcome so much yet continues to embrace the game and strives for success.”

Inspiration Beyond the Golf Course

Carley’s story transcends athletic achievement; it embodies resilience, hope and faith. She has become a beacon of inspiration for her teammates and the entire golf community. Earlier this year, she was honored with the Kim Moore Spirit Award, recognizing players who display courage, positivity and mental toughness—a well-deserved acknowledgment for Carley.

“She’s the bravest woman I know,” shares Christy, Carley’s mother. “When doctors told us that Carley had a 50 percent chance of surviving five years, I was frantic. But Carley never wavered. She consistently reassured me, ‘Mom, I’m going to be OK.’ And she truly was.”

Carley has transformed her experience into a platform for giving back, sharing her story through interviews and public speaking to raise awareness about ovarian cancer. She launched a clothing line with proceeds supporting ovarian cancer research and is actively involved in the Crush Cancer initiative, which has raised millions for cancer research.

“I want people to understand that if you’re experiencing symptoms like I did, don’t let doctors dismiss your concerns,” Carley emphasizes. “You must advocate for yourself. Never give up until you find the answers.”

The Future is Bright 

Carley is on the rise! With a medical redshirt from the NCAA, she’s got another year to showcase her incredible talent in college golf. Afterward, she’s set her sights on the thrilling world of professional golf. “I’ve battled my way here, and I’m ready to embrace whatever comes next!” she exclaims with determination.

But Carley’s remarkable journey doesn’t stop there; it has ignited a fire within her to explore new dreams. She aspires to coach a college golf team, inspired by her phenomenal coach, Mallory Kane, who has guided her every step of the way.

“No one could rival Carley as a coach,” Coach Kane raves. “She has faced challenges that few can imagine, and she emerged even stronger. That resilience is the hallmark of an exceptional leader!”

For Carley, the invaluable lessons learned during her fight against cancer extend far beyond the golf course—they’re profound life lessons. “In the past, whenever adversity struck, I’d wonder, ‘Why me?’ Now, I keep my chin up and charge ahead. I’m simply grateful to be alive and pursuing the things that ignite my passion.”

With unwavering determination, the love of a supportive family, and an indomitable spirit, Carley Rudolf’s story is one of hope, strength and the extraordinary power of perseverance. Her challenges were immense, but her victories are destined to be even greater!