The confidence and maturity in Dane Worley’s voice belies his age. Lately, he’s demonstrated those traits on the golf course in a big way.

Worley, a 20-year-old Cedar Rapids Kennedy product, defends his Cedar Rapids City Amateur title this weekend after two straight runner-up finishes on the Iowa amateur circuit.

He finished second in both the Waterloo Open and Iowa Amateur, vaulting him to No.3 on the Iowa Golf Association Player of the Year rankings behind veteran Gene Elliott of West Des Moines and University of Iowa senior-to-be Steven Ihm.

“It’s been a really good spring and summer,’’ Worley said. “It’s kind of what I expected out of my game because I’ve spent a lot of time on it, putting the pieces together.

“What’s keeping me from winning, I think, is just making a few more putts. I didn’t lose the last two tournaments, I just got outplayed by some very good players.’’

This summer, Worley also was 3rd at the Ottumwa Amateur, 3rd with college teammate Blake Huser in the IGA Four-Ball, 11th in the Iowa Masters, and had a round-of-16 finish in the Iowa Match Play.

Worley, a junior-to-be at Drake University, comes from a strong golf family. Oldest brother Brock was the 2007 City Amateur champion, played briefly on professional mini tours and was the golf coach at Cornell College. Chad Worley competed at Mount Mercy University. Their parents, Blaine and Judy, have given tremendous support to their sons’ pursuit of golf.

All three brothers were instrumental players on Kennedy teams that routinely contended for conference and state championships.

But it is Dane that seems to be destined for some big things in the game.

“He is so much more mature than me at that age,’’ Brock Worley said.

For all his tournament success in July, his summer highlight might have been in a friendly round July 8 at Elmcrest Country Club, where his family belongs. Worley was invited to play with fellow club member and 9-time PGA champion Zach Johnson in an early-morning round.

“(Elmcrest pro) Larry Gladson called me that Sunday and invited me to play with him, his son (Marc), a couple assistant pros and Zach,’’ he said. “It was a lot of fun. I’ve spent a lot of time talking to Zach but never played a full round with him. He’s just an awesome guy, a class act, genuine.’’

Worley might have been a tad more competitive that Monday than Johnson, who later that week went to defend his title at the John Deere Classic. Both players shot 32 on the Elmcrest front nine, and the low round of the day hung in the balance down the stretch.

“Zach kind of missed his wedge on the 18th hole to the right,’’ Worley said. “He chipped up to about 10 feet and I left myself five feet for par. Zach made his putt and I just missed.’’

Johnson shot 65, Worley 66.

“I guess it would’ve been fun to say I beat the Masters champion,’’ Worley said.

Worley said his career has had a positive influence from Dr. Morris Pickens, Johnson’s mental and performance coach. Johnson also is a former Drake player.

“He’s a large part of it. He comes every year to Drake to spend some time with the team,’’ Worley said. “He stresses a mental process that helps you stick to your routine. There’s a lot of adversity out there some days. He’s helped me become a lot more mentally strong on the golf course.’’

Worley said he intends to pursue a professional golf career after his final two years of college. He is taking three classes this summer to help lighten his load during the fall season at Drake, where he has made the Dean’s and President’s lists while pursuing a degree in business finance.

“Professional golf definitely is a path I want to go,’’ Worley said. “But academics and an education is really important to me too.’’

Worley has a full tournament schedule, starting with the City Am, before the Drake season begins in September. He has a chance to set the pace, as he tees off in the first group Friday at Gardner.

“I’ll have a little target on my back, trying to defend,’’ he said. “Every tournament that I tee it up is no important to me than any other.’’

After the City Am, Worley is entered in the Herman Sani Open Aug. 9-11 in Des Moines. He is unsure about entering the Iowa Open Aug. 16-18 in Panora, but may choose to play depending on his standing in the Player of the Year points.