WESTMINSTER, S.C. -- More than 300 employees at Dunlop's golf ball plant here found out Monday that they were out of work.

Dunlop officials said the plant closed after it was sold to competitor TaylorMade.

Workers found out about the closing when they arrived for shifts starting early Monday morning. Oconee County Sheriff's deputies directed traffic at the plant on U.S. Highway 123.

At one time earlier this year, the plant employed as many as 600 workers.

"It got to the point that there was always rumors that Dunlop or Maxfli was closing," Westminster City Councilman Rusty Cater said. "Someone said the third shift found the doors padlocked."

A job fair is planned for workers this week at Clemson University, said Oconee County Economic Development Commission executive director Jim Alexander.

Alexander said his office would work with Dunlop and the new owners to provide workers as much assistance as possible.