Country clubs once owned (4)
I believe the answer is:
chad
'country' is the definition.
(Chad is an example)
'clubs once owned' is the wordplay.
'clubs' becomes 'c' (abbreviation used in card games such as bridge).
'once owned' becomes 'had' (I've seen this in another clue).
'c'+'had'='CHAD'
(Other definitions for chad that I've seen before include "Fish" , "cartoon character" , "Central African republic, capital N'Djamena" , "Bit of paper" , "Feature of controversial election once" .)