Crossword Genius

Country clubs with upbeat, odd characters only (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cuba

'country' is the definition.
(Cuba is an example)

'clubs with upbeat odd characters only' is the wordplay.
'clubs' becomes 'c' (abbreviation used in card games such as bridge).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'odd characters only' means one should take alternating letters.
The alternate letters of 'upbeat' are 'uba'.
'c'+'uba'='CUBA'

(Other definitions for cuba that I've seen before include "Large Caribbean island" , "Its capital is Havana" , "Largest Caribbean island" , "Island S. of Florida" , "Island N. of Jamaica" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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